Celebrating The Richness & Flavor of Traditional Healthy Food Recipes
A Demonstrative Training Program for Homemakers
A one-day demonstrative training on preparing various traditional paddy-based recipes was organized at Gandhi Museum, Madurai. The event was hosted by CREATE in collaboration with the Women Consumer Protection Association and SWEET NGO Madurai. This program was exclusively designed for homemakers from both rural and urban backgrounds, with the primary goal of promoting health and nutrition at the household level, while also supporting traditional paddy-cultivating farmers through marketing efforts.
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.
This program aimed to address this challenge by training homemakers to prepare a variety of traditional paddy-based recipes, ultimately creating demand in the market.
Mrs. Seethalakshmi, Organic Farmers Market, Chennai facilitated the training by engaging participants in group activities. Approximately 20 different recipes were prepared and displayed, including Seeraga Samba Mudavattukkal rice, Thuyamalli Rice, Kitchali Samba Rice, Kuthiraivaali Rice, Poongaar Rice Coconut Payasam, Mappillai Samba Vilaapi Pongal, Mappillai Samba Rangoon Puttu, Kitchali Samba Kullukkattai, Sakkaraivalli Kulangu Mappillai Samba Cutlet, and Saamai Appam, among others. The trainer explained the health and nutritional benefits of each recipe and distributed handouts detailing the preparation methods to all participants.
Guests of Honour, Prof. Dr. Karthikeyan from Thiagarajar College and Dr. Shanthi from Fatima College, sampled the recipes and commended the trainer, participants, and organizers for their dedication. The event was also covered by mainstream and social media. Earlier in the day, Mr. Jayarama Pandiyan, District Designated Officer, Department of Food Safety, Madurai, inaugurated the event. Mr. Suresh Kanna, Project Director, CREATE, delivered the vote of thanks.
