The hilly regions of Lambasingi, Araku, and Paderu, known for their dense forests have historically required residents to travel extensive distances to access essential goods, agricultural tools, and livestock. As a solution, local markets are organised, allowing community members to purchase necessary items close to home. These markets are particularly prevalent in the agency areas of Andhra Pradesh. In the Visakhapatnam Agency area, large weekly markets hold significant importance. These gatherings, known as Santha market, serve as central trading hubs for multiple villages. One of the favoured spots is the Lothugedda weekly market, which attracts substantial activity, serving around 15 villages in the area. Each week, thousands of cows are traded here by the tribal communities, primarily for agricultural use, since cows are less expensive here than in the plains.
The market, bustling every Tuesday, offers cows ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. Despite the small size of the shops, the volume of business conducted is considerable. Local tribes not only sell their agricultural produce here but also use the market to buy what they need, supporting a robust trade ecosystem. Overall, 776 villages in the Joint Visakha Agency rely on these markets, drawing not only local tribes but also people from cities and distant areas.
In the Kukatpally area of Hyderabad, predominantly inhabited by Andhra people, the Balaji Nagar area adjacent to the Kukatpally Metro hosts a bustling market every Friday. This Santha market attracts thousands of local residents from 4 pm to 11 pm, who come to purchase vegetables and fruits. The market is well-frequented by traders, who are keen to sell their produce.
Attendance at this Friday’s market was noticeably lower due to the ongoing elections. The reduced footfall meant that many traders were unable to sell their goods as usual. With the local community’s attention turned towards the elections, the traders faced the challenge of unsold stock and uncovered travel expenses. They noted that this was an unprecedented situation, as they had not experienced such a significant drop in attendance due to elections before, even three days before election day.
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