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The National Bank for Agricultural and Rural Development (Nabard) which offers assistance for organic cultivation is now planning to help create infrastructure for marketing products in urban centres.
Recognising the importance of organic farming in the country, the Central government through organisations such as Nabard and through regional centres of National Centre of Organic Farming has taken up various initiatives to promote and support organic production.
“Nabard on its part is currently helping farmers to grow organic fruits, vegetables and commercial crops, now since there is no market linkage, we are exploring various models to create marketing infrastructure,” Dr Venkatesh Tagat, Chief General Manager, Nabard, told Business Line.
“We are also exploring forming farmers groups or help non-government organisations (NGOs) to take up marketing on behalf of farmers in urban centres,” he added.
As a step towards creating marketing infrastructure in Bangalore, Nabard is evaluating Bangalore-based Sahaja Samrudha, a producer company formed by a group of farmers.
Sahaja Samrudha so far has developed a network of consumers and producers for procurement and marketing under the brand name ‘Sahaja Organics'.
“At present, Nabard is studying the business proposal of Sahaja Samrudha, we plan to offer soft loan or explore other avenues of funding,” said Dr Tagat.
“In addition to creating marketing infrastructure, Nabard is also exploring productivity enhancement initiatives and crop specific seed conservation,” he added.
Rice mela
Few organic rice farmers under the banner of Sahaja Samrudha held ‘Red Rice Mela' mela in Bangalore.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr Krishna Prasad of Sahaja Samrudha said: “Mela is celebration of rice diversity that farmers have grown with care on their lands.”
Karnataka has rich culinary heritage, it can be seen in the variety of rice which are characterised by its distinct textures, flavours, and tastes.
Mr Prasad said “In India there were about two lakh varieties of rice in the gene bank. These were collected, preserved and passed down through generations.
But introduction of Green Revolution and after, it has now come down to 30,000 varieties.”
Mr Prasad further explained that traditionally, many rice varieties have been used to cure various ailments like Karibatha is used for curing herpes, Karikalave is used to serve to lactating mothers, as it is high in calcium content.
Navara , a variety of Kerala has anti-carcinogenic property, especially against breast cancer.
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