A Brief Report on CREATE's Lead Organic Farmers’ Exposure Visit to SOFA
CREATE organized a two-day training and exposure visit for its lead organic farmers to SOFA (Sittilingi Organic Farmers Association) on July 2nd and 3rd, 2025. Approximately 30 lead farmers from the districts of Chengalpattu, Cuddalore, Thiruvannamalai, Trichy, Pudukkottai, and Madurai participated in the visit. The exposure was facilitated by Prof. Dr. P. Duraisingam, Chairman of CREATE, and Mr. K. Suresh Kanna, Project Director, CREATE.
The primary objective of the visit was to help farmers understand the benefits of collective action and to gain practical knowledge about Farmer Producer Companies (FPCs) and post-harvest activities such as procurement, storage, processing, value addition, certification, and marketing.
The training began with an inspiring session by Mr. Manjunath, CEO of SOFA, who narrated the journey of SOFA—from its inception, challenges, and milestones, to becoming a learning hub for organic farming and collective action from seed to market.
Participants visited SOFA’s office and observed its organic certification systems, traceability processes, and processing units for turmeric, groundnut, millets, pulses, and oil extraction (coconut and groundnut). The group also explored women-led initiatives like soap making, tailoring, embroidery, bio-input production, and greens cultivation, all contributing to local employment.
Delivering the presidential address, Prof. Dr. P. Duraisingam, Chairman of CREATE, highlighted CREATE’s efforts in advancing the SAVE OUR RICE CAMPAIGN among farmers and consumers through Nel Thiruvizha since 2006, which led to the retrieval of over 200 paddy varieties. He noted that despite increasing consumer awareness of the importance of traditional rice, many still struggle with preparation methods, impacting market demand.
A visit to the Tribal Health Hospital—the first development initiative in the Sitlingi Valley—offered insights into the healthcare support extended to tribal communities. Located in the Kalvarayan Hills, this valley is home to tribal communities and some Lambadi settlers. The hospital plays a critical role in maternal and emergency care.
The participants also explored SOFA’s organic retail outlet and learned about the continuous training and capacity-building programs provided to its member farmers. The active involvement of educated rural youth in managing operations from seed to market was a notable highlight.
Field Visits and Farmer Interaction
On the second day, the group visited three farms in Moolasittilingi and Kaaliyangkottai. They interacted with local farmers to understand their organic practices, cultivation systems, and how becoming part of SOFA had enhanced their livelihoods and contributed to sustainable rural development.
Delivering the presidential address, Prof. Dr. P. Duraisingam, Chairman of CREATE, highlighted CREATE’s efforts in advancing the SAVE OUR RICE CAMPAIGN among farmers and consumers through Nel Thiruvizha since 2006, which led to the retrieval of over 200 paddy varieties. He noted that despite increasing consumer awareness of the importance of traditional rice, many still struggle with preparation methods, impacting market demand.
Key Learnings from the Exposure Visit
The visiting farmers found the experience inspiring and enriching. Many expressed interest in replicating similar collective models in their own regions. Key takeaways included:
- Collective efforts open access to better opportunities, support, and stable markets.
- Planned crop cultivation within a collective ensures buyer confidence and advance commitments.
- Larger volumes allow better price negotiation.
- Women’s savings and credit groups provide dignity and financial freedom.
- Small contributions enable social security, healthcare, and educational benefits.
- Youth employment through local enterprises reduces rural migration.
- Farmers’ collectives support market access, seed sharing, credit, and knowledge exchange.
Suggestions by Participating Farmers
The farmers also offered the following suggestions to SOFA:
- Explore new marketing strategies to ensure better returns for organic vegetables.
- Consider value addition for fruits and vegetables via juices, jams, solar drying, and cold storage.
- Promote integration of traditional livestock (bulls and cows) into farming.
- Encourage backyard cultivation of medicinal herbs.
- Provide more training on bio-input preparation to reduce dependency on external inputs. Many farmers expressed interest in revisiting SOFA to support and co-learn.
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