‘Detoxifying our fields and bodies’: This slogan welcomed the gathering at the formal inauguration of ‘Sangham Organics’ at Pastapur of Jarasangam mandal on Thursday, another transformation initiative by Deccan Development Society (DDS). The DDS, which was so far limited to millet cultivation, has developed another innovative concept where the organic farmers reach the customers without middlemen.
“The food we are taking is laced with chemicals. We want to come out of that and go for organic farming which will protect not only our health but also our soil health,” says Chilakamma, one of the organic farmers who attended the programme. She is farmer from Kishtapur near here.
In January, the DDS activists started interacting with farmers and convinced them to opt for organic farming stating that people are ready to buy quality organic vegetables even if it is costly. This exercise has resulted in successful launching of ‘Sangham Organics’ which linked about 32 farmers and about 100 consumers in and around Zaheerabad. The customers were told in advance that the cost of the vegetables would Rs. 10 per kilogram additionally as the farmer were growing them with organics and people readily agreed for that.
The vegetables are being grown in seven villages including Bidakanne, Kuppanagar, Machanoor, Nyamatabad and Kashimpur in about 23 acres. As the consumers are located in Zaheerabad town itself, the farmers are able to deliver the ‘farm fresh organic’ vegetables at the doorsteps of the customers with the help of Sangam Organics
Formally launching the programme, Lavanya, Municipal Chairperson, Zaheerabad, promised to extend the required assistance in spreading the activity.
DDS Director P.V. Satheesh said that the programme was aimed at providing healthy vegetables for the people.
