The CREATE team, along with 20 organic farmers associated with CREATE, participated in the Iyarkkai Uzhavar Pathukappu Maanadu held at Tex Valley, Chithode, Erode, on February 15th and 16th, 2025. During this event, CREATE set up an exhibition stall showcasing traditional paddy varieties cultivated in its Rice Diversity Blocks, along with an interpretation of the nutritional analysis of these varieties conducted at NIFTEM-T. The stall also featured photographs from recent programs organized by CREATE.

Dr. Sultan Ismail, renowned soil biologist and ecologist, visited the exhibition and commended CREATE’s efforts in ecological conservation. Additionally, Mr. R. Anand, Chief General Manager of the Tamil Nadu Regional Office of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), expressed his appreciation for the initiative on the nutritional analysis of paddy varieties, highlighting its potential to enhance consumer awareness of traditional paddy and assist farmers in marketing their traditional rice more effectively.

Mr. Suresh Kanna, Program Director at CREATE, also shared insights on Farmers’ Integration and Organizational Initiatives during the event.