3 Jan 2016, Chandigarh: Kheti Virasat Mission, organization working for promotion of organic farming and organic food has initiated a platform to bring organic farmers and consumers on one platform.
Kudrati Kisaan Haat is a weekly market where Organic farmers associated with KVM come to sell their produce directly to the consumers without any middlemen. Kudrati Kisaan Haat is filled of festivity and has other elements like workshops and talks to build and interaction with the consumers.
To ensure the ‘organicity’ of participant-producers in the KKHs a code of conduct is devised which includes including or excluding participant-farmers in its marketing initiatives to ensure authenticity of organic produce. Consumers are as much a part of the management of Kudrati Kisaan Haats and also have the right to enforce the code of conduct. All producers are expected to abide by this code of conduct given that the motivation behind such a mechanism is to protect the interests of the organic community as well as consumers.
The prices are fixed in such a manner that they are fair both to the farmer and the consumer.
Deepak Manchanda, Secretary, Kheti Virasat Mission, Chandigarh Chapter told that KVM is running Kudrati Kisaan Haats in the cities of Panchkula, Chandigarh, Bathinda, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. In totality, all the places sell produce from Organic farmers with their products ranging from vegetables, jaggery, shakker, pulses, desi-cow ghee, pickles, fruits – guava ,kinnu , organic paneer, organic lettuce, parsley, broccoli.
In Chandigarh and Panchkula, a team of Volunteers is hosting these kudrati kisaan haats. These volunteers include students, teachers, lawyers, housewives, doctors. This team is hosting weekly Kudrati Kisaan Haat at Arya Smaaj Mandir, Sector 9, Panchkula and Kisaan Bhawan, Sector 35, Chandigarh. Citizens can also get updates about this haat at facebook page- KVM Kudrati Kisaan Haat, Chandigarh.
Sushant Rana, volunteer with Kudrati Kisaan Haat told that he and his team through social media trying to generate awareness among tricity people about organic and safe food.