The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Karunanidhi said on monday that the farmers market, or the Uzhavar Sandhai is turning out to be a great success in the state. The Chief Minister said that there was a large increase in the number of farmers who participated in the sale and that there has been a large increase in the total sales figures of fruits and vegetables in the market. The Chief Minister pointed forward to the market as a good option for reasonable sale of farm products and a good purchase place for quality farm products. The Chief Minister requested the public to encourage its functioning to ensure the welfare of the farmers. He also quoted that the number of consumers visiting the market increased from 57,51,138 in the year 2007 to 1,07,83,055 by 2009. A traditional practice by origin, the Uzhavar Sandhai is a periodic sale of farm products that benefit boy=th the farmers and consumers through sale and purchase of the state's own produce without distortions caused by middle men.