Thiruvananthapuram: Horticorp has introduced point of sale (POS) machines for the first time in the state at four outlets in Thiruvananthapuram. The card swipe machines will start working after 3 pm on Wednesday at Palayam, Pazhavangadi, Poojappura and Pettah. The move comes in the wake of the shortage of banknotes following the scrapping of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. Another reason was the Sabarimala season. “Vegetables are consumed a lot during this season. We had to make it available. We have plans to set up swipe machines all across Kerala in the coming days,” says Ranjan Karippai, MD, Horticorp.
Horticorp has been trying to intervene in the markets too, during the season. Recently, there was a glut in tomato prices as farmers in Chittoor Taluk in Palakkad had a bumper crop. The tomatoes there were selling at Rs 3 or less. Horticorp transported close to 10 tonnes paying the farmers Rs 5. These were brought to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Kannur. Indirectly the customers are also getting benefited. “In Thiruvananthapuram, even as the market price of tomatoes was Rs 22.5 we sold it at Rs 14. This covers the transportation and procurement cost. Horticorp may not be making profits, but it will make the market stable,” Mr Karippai said.
