Consumer Outreach
Workshop for Consumers & Influencers to Enable Wider Adoption of Organic Food
Tirunelveli
CREATE – Save Our Rice Campaign and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) jointly organized a one-day awareness workshop for Consumer Influencers to increase the consumption of organically farmed produce at the District Science Center, Tirunelveli. More than 120 participants from consumer associations, farmers, academicians, health and nutrition experts, and students from St. Xavier’s College, Sadakathullah Appa College, and Jansi College of Tirunelveli participated.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Dr. P. Duraisingam, Chairman of CREATE, explained the objectives of the workshop in his presidential address. Highlighting the work of CREATE for the welfare of both consumers and farmers, he spoke about their efforts to revive traditional farming practices, conserve seeds of traditional paddy varieties, and promote a food culture of poison-free food for all. He also mentioned that CREATE’s work is supported by scientific data from NIFTEM-T, Thanjavur, where the nutritional and medicinal properties of 15 traditional rice varieties have been tested. These findings are being shared with consumers and policymakers to ensure that organic food reaches the common man’s plate. He appealed to the state government to introduce safe organic foods like traditional rice varieties in ICDS programs, benefiting children and youth by enhancing their physical and mental health, IQ, and fostering positive changes in attitudes and behaviors.
Two panel discussions were held on strategies and approaches to take organic foods to the common man’s plate. Discussions emphasized the vital role of stakeholders, including consumers, consumer associations, the medical fraternity, health and nutrition experts, mainstream and social media, academic institutions, and policymakers. Panelists included Dr. Subash Chandran, Assistant Professor, Government College of Siddha, Tirunelveli; Dr. Nancy, Nutrition and Diet Expert, Tirunelveli; and Mrs. Parvatha Rani, District Project Officer, ICDS, Tirunelveli. They spoke about the need to revive traditional food cultures, grow home gardens and rooftop gardens, make healthy food choices, reject junk food, educate children on healthy eating, and emphasize physical fitness. Mr. Suresh Kanna, Project Director of CREATE, moderated the session.
Another panel discussion focused on the role of different stakeholders in increasing the consumption of organically grown food. Panelists included Dr. Arunachalam of Aruna Cardiac Care and Dr. S.M. Prasad, Head of the Department of Food and Dietetics at Sadakathullah Appa College. Mr. G. Ganapathy Subramaniyan, General Secretary of the Tirunelveli District Consumer Association, moderated the discussion.
Mr. S.M. Kumar, District Science Center Officer, delivered the concluding remarks and outlined the way forward. Earlier, Mr. R. Selvamani welcomed the gathering and speakers, and Mr. Sathees Kumar, Program Officer, proposed the vote of thanks.