Monday, March 22, 2010
Mumbai held it's first Farmer's Market yesterday at Linking Road, Bandra.
Kavita Mukhi arranged for this initiative whereby Organic Crop Farmers directly sold their produce to end users.
Nilgiri Garden saw a lot of activity - farmers, Ayurvedic Medicine sellers, Organic Paint companies, et al from all over Maharashtra put up a show and educated people on the benefits of going Organic.
The day seemed to be quite a success since most vendors had to call in for re-fills from the APMC market in Vashi.
Housewives, students, amateur film makers and writers showed up, wanting to capture the excitement and explore the subject.
*****
Organic Foods have seen a lot of debate and seem to have a convincing argument going for them.
I am undecided on the subject. My only argument is the cost factor. Most of us have used non-organic stuff till date and haven't suffered much, at least in terms of health. However, recent studies have poured in data on health hazards to farm workers and the ecological imbalance that has resulted from years of non-organic farming.
I am yet to settle on this subject. If you have the whole issue figured out, do share your thoughts.
*****
One factor that definitely struck me was how this mode of sales could be taken up by all farmers, whatever their produce be.
Farmers Markets seem to be quite a rage in a lot of cities, globally.
Small time entrepreneurs/ NGOs/ Farming Associations could help in holding weekly markets across various cities in India too. The logistics would have to be sketched out, but it's a win-win for everyone.
*****
This particular market will now make a show every Sunday from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm at Bandra. More information should be available on their Facebook group.
*****
Some shots of the market -
Nilgiri Garden saw a lot of activity - farmers, Ayurvedic Medicine sellers, Organic Paint companies, et al from all over Maharashtra put up a show and educated people on the benefits of going Organic.
The day seemed to be quite a success since most vendors had to call in for re-fills from the APMC market in Vashi.
Housewives, students, amateur film makers and writers showed up, wanting to capture the excitement and explore the subject.
*****
Organic Foods have seen a lot of debate and seem to have a convincing argument going for them.
I am undecided on the subject. My only argument is the cost factor. Most of us have used non-organic stuff till date and haven't suffered much, at least in terms of health. However, recent studies have poured in data on health hazards to farm workers and the ecological imbalance that has resulted from years of non-organic farming.
I am yet to settle on this subject. If you have the whole issue figured out, do share your thoughts.
*****
One factor that definitely struck me was how this mode of sales could be taken up by all farmers, whatever their produce be.
Farmers Markets seem to be quite a rage in a lot of cities, globally.
Small time entrepreneurs/ NGOs/ Farming Associations could help in holding weekly markets across various cities in India too. The logistics would have to be sketched out, but it's a win-win for everyone.
*****
This particular market will now make a show every Sunday from 10:00 am to 05:00 pm at Bandra. More information should be available on their Facebook group.
*****
Some shots of the market -
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4 comments:
it's so rare to get an organic vegie's or fruits around.......and even if you find them....they are so expensive then the others....
i wish they where cheaper so that i can get some fruits ......my native's we grow mango's and grapes.....aahh...it best to eat it from the tree
@Hitesh - Yes, non-organic foods are produced such that they become cheap. Pesticides and other chemicals actually make the production cheaper.
A lot of countries subsidise Agro-Chemical farming. No subsidies are available to organic foods.
I do not know if this applies to India as well. Will have to read up more.
You should visit the Bandra market, if you are based in Mumbai.
naah....i'm in Bangalore or Bengaluru now.....
but i don't think government is in the shape to subsidize everything....i mean we already have a lot of things being subsidized....may it be the cooking gas or the Amarnath Yatra.....
i think i'll go back to native(Uttrakhand) to enjoy organic food
@Hitesh - Govt. already subsidises the agro-chemical produce. So yes, maybe it doesn't feel enough merit in doing the same for organic food.
You have the option of going back to Uttarkhand or growing organic veggies in Bangalore :)
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