The Middleman Problem in Punjab's Mandi System

A long chain with many hands

Between a Punjab field and your kitchen, produce often passes through a commission agent (arhtiya), a wholesaler, a transporter and a retailer. Every link takes a share, adds a day, and reduces both freshness and the farmer's earnings.

The result

• Farmers receive a small fraction of the final price.
• Shoppers pay more for older produce.
• Price swings and delays hurt everyone except the middle.

A simpler way

Direct selling removes those layers. When a farmer lists produce on BuyFromKhet and a buyer contacts them directly, the two agree a price between themselves. Fresher food, fairer earnings, no commission taken by the platform.

It won't replace the mandi overnight — but for everyday buying, direct is simply better.