RA Market Aims To Create 10k Entrepreneurs In TG in 2 yrs
RA franchise stores will be set up in every village to cut down middlemen traders in agri sector; 600 agriculture graduates will be hired to build farming communities
(C) P Shiva, Founder, and Runith Reddy, CEO, RA Market, during the official launch of RA Market, in Hyderabad on Thursday
Hyderabad: City-based RA Market, an agriculture and logistics startup, on Thursday announced the official launch of RA franchise model, under which the startup plans to create 10,000 entrepreneurs across the State over the next two years. The startup will be hiring 600 agriculture graduates to connect with farmers and build a network before opening its first franchise store on June 2, 2025.
In the coming months, RA Market will be establishing a holistic ecosystem to support farmers with credit, machinery and equipment support, inputs like fertilizers, logistics, and direct connect with consumers or large scale buyers. The farmer community will also receive guidance, technological support, and purchase guarantees within their villages, through RA franchise stores.
Addressing media, P Shiva, Founder, RA Market, said: “We are set to roll out a free franchise model in every village aimed at creating local connections between farmers and the organisation. With plans of opening about 10,000 stores across the State, the initiative aims to empower agricultural graduates by providing employment opportunities tailored to their education.”
The startup has partnered with HDFC Bank to facilitate short-term agri loans. Under this partnership, farmers can avail a loan of Rs 2 lakh for an acre at an interest rate of six per cent. For entrepreneurs interested in taking up franchise of RA Market, the startup will support with a business model that will help them access loan of upto Rs 15 – 20 lakh from the bank.
The franchise store will act as a centre hub in each village for carrying out end-to-end agri-related activities. “Our aim is to create one entrepreneur in each village across Telangana, through RA franchise stores, while simultaneously strengthen farmers by increasing their revenue by 80 per cent while cutting down 30 per cent fees they pay to the middlemen,” Shiva added.
RA franchise stores will operate on the lines of FPOs (farmer producer organisation) but in a more efficient manner, the founder
pointed out.
