A two-day training and exposure program for consumer association leaders from different districts of Tamil Nadu was organized by CREATE NGO at Trichy on 27th and 28th January 2025. More than 40 consumer association leaders and 7 organic farmers participated in the training. The objective was to connect organic farmers and consumers to mutually benefit each other in production and consumption.

Day 1 (27.01.2025)

Prof. Dr. Duraisingam, Chairman of CREATE, highlighted the need for direct linkages between organic producers and consumers for mutual understanding of the issues involved in organic farming and consumption. He elaborated on CREATE’s collaborations with research and academic institutions to document the medicinal and nutritional benefits of traditional rice varieties, and how this information is shared through publications and awareness materials to help consumers make informed choices.

Mr. Suresh Kanna, Project Director, CREATE, delivered a PowerPoint presentation on the risks in our current food system and why consumers should prefer organic food for health and nutrition. Citing a recent report by the National Institute of Nutrition, he explained the decline in nutritional content across more than 528 food items in India due to the excessive use of pesticides and herbicides, and emphasized the role of organic farming in reversing this trend.

Dr. Kovai Bala, a Naturopathy Doctor from Coimbatore, spoke on using food as medicine through proper cooking and consumption methods, and emphasized the health benefits of local vegetables in preventing non-communicable diseases.

Dr. Sivabalan, Founder of CREA Trust, Trichy, highlighted the need for farmers to diversify income sources, such as producing bio-inputs during off-seasons, and emphasized low-cost PGS certification and value addition to increase farmers’ incomes. He also urged consumer associations to identify local organic farmers, create databases, and build direct relationships to promote organic marketing.

Mrs. Kanaga from Valampakudi village shared her experience of establishing a backyard kitchen garden to fulfill her family’s greens, vegetables, and herbal needs.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Sivashankar, President, Trichy Consumer Federation, welcomed the gathering, and Mrs. Sindu Subramaniyam of Tiruppur Consumer Association delivered the vote of thanks.

Day 2 (28.01.2025)

On day two, participants visited Mr. Sridhar’s organic farm at Ariyamangalam village, where they interacted with him on his agro-ecological farming practices since 2006. He cultivates five traditional rice varieties, pulses, and rears native livestock. He markets his organic rice directly to consumers through networks facilitated by his wife, a teacher in Trichy, and produces quality seeds for the State Seed Farm.

Later, they visited Mr. Raja’s rooftop garden at Prakash Nagar, Thiruverumbur. A retired BHEL employee, Mr. Raja has maintained his rooftop garden for over 15 years and has inspired many neighbors to start their own gardens, producing vegetables, greens, herbs, and flowers.

The event successfully motivated participants to set up rooftop gardens and build stronger connections with local organic farmers. On the first day, participants enjoyed an organic lunch prepared by a women’s group from Thanjavur and stayed at Yatri Nivas, Srirangam.

The program was impactful, building confidence among participants to strengthen farmer-consumer linkages and promote self-reliant food production.