Pune: Puneites now can buy organic food grains directly from growers in a three-day organic food grain festival which will be held in the city from February 6 to 8. This event will be organised by Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) and State Agriculture Department, behind Krishi Bhavan near Sakhar Sankul in Shivajinagar.
“This festival is organised with a motive to propagate organic farming as all the produce sold at the festival has been grown without chemical pesticides or fertilisers. All these farmer groups use green manure and compost prepared at their field,” said Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA), Pune, Project Director, Rajendra Sawle.
He added, “In this organic food grain festival, the main focus is on food grains such as rice, jawar, bajra, wheat and all types of pulses. However, there will be organically grown vegetables and fruits in this festival but the major focus is on food grains.”
He also said that there are 60 farmer groups in Pune district practising organic farming have been established under the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana who will be coming here with their produce.
“This is the second time that we are organising this festival. It was first organised three years ago on a very small level. This is the first time this festival will be organised on a big scale. It is also an effort to connect these 60 farmer groups directly with the consumers and provide them with an alternative platform to sell their produce directly. We are hoping that there will be a good consumer turnout,” added Sawleÿ.
ST READERS SERVICE
Organic Food Grain Festival
When: Feb 6-8
Time: 9 am to 8pm
Venue: Behind Krishi Bhavan, near Sakhar Sankul in Shivajinagar
