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Mumbai Organic Fest, a platform for awareness on organic produce benefits
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Wednesday, 23 December, 2015, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Shraddha Joshi, Mumbai
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fiogf49gjkf0d fiogf49gjkf0d The 2nd edition of The Mumbai Organic Fest 2015, an organic produce show, organised here on Sunday, served as a platform for creating awareness on benefits of organic foods and products through displays and interactions with attendees. The show was organised by Praakritik, an organisation working for betterment of farmers and promoting organic farming.
Speaking on the occasion, Dharmishtha Goenka, proprietor, Praakritik, and organiser of the fest, said, “While I was working for Praakritik, I came across many organic farmers who were looking for an opportunity to sell their produce and at the same time people who were ready to pay little more and looking for an authentic organic produce. That’s when I decided to create this platform.”
She added, “Compared to our 1st edition which was in April, the response which we have received this time is amazing. The number of exhibitors has increased to 50 as compared to 35 from the last time and around 3,000 visitors are expected to visit the fest. Farmers from Anand, Satara have come to attend the fest and sell their produce.”
She explained that the people were getting aware on importance of organic food and products and were ready to pay more. Sharing details, she said, “I would like to thank Kavita Mukhi for joining and supporting us in organising the fest this time.”
Kavita Mukhi, who is known for her contribution to the organic movement, and proprietor, Farmers Market, said, “The Mumbai Organic Fest is a great initiative taken by Praakritik for the farmers who are into organic farming. Today our farmers need a platform to connect with the consumers to earn their due. Also it will in a way benefit the consumers to get authentic food at better price.
She added, “People are to ready to spend on expensive clothes, shoes and restaurants but when it comes to organic products they avoid thinking it to be costly and premium products. However, I have seen there is much awareness now and in next five years this organic market will be everywhere.”
Devesh Patel, an exhibitor from Gujarat, said, “It’s a great platform for the farmers. It gives great exposure to both the farmers as well as consumers to live a healthy lifestyle. I strongly believe that we should not harm our mother earth by using chemicals to produce goods and should go organic and use organic products for healthy living.”
One of the visitors, Deepika, a housewife residing in Powai, Mumbai, said, “I want my kids to lead a healthy life. Hence when I came to know about this initiative, I dropped all the plans and visited the fest. People should come forward and create awareness on organic products and their benefits in the long term.”
Different produces like fruit, vegetables, honey, and jaggery were brought from the farms directly. Adding to the offerings were cosmetics, clothes, workshop for children’s, and live performances.
Praakritik, which organises the fest, is an initiative to support farmers from across Maharashtra and Gujarat in earning their livelihoods. Also, it works for the betterment of farmers by educating them, getting them certified, and giving them a platform to connect with the consumer directly.
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