Boost to organic products: Mega product mela in Vizag next month

Visakhapatnam: In a bid to popularise organic farming and provide a remunerative price to the farmers across Andhra Pradesh, Cow-based Natural Farmers' Association is organising yet another mega exhibition-cum-sale in Visakhapatnam on December 3 to 5.

The organisation floated in 2015 has already conducted five rounds of such exhibitions at Vijayawada and one in Visakhapatnam in the past. It has plans to hold such shows all across the State to sensitise all on organic products as well as eco-friendly items to replace use of plastic. Farmers growing several vegetables and fruits without using chemicals as part of zero-budget natural farming (ZBNF) will display their products in the latest round of exhibition.

"It will not only provide an opportunity to the farmers to show their products but also offer retailers to negotiate with them for arriving at an understanding for bulk orders," Amaravathi Organics CEO Bharat Varma told Bizz Buzz on Sunday, Varma who is the general secretary of the association said under the banner of Amaravathi Organics, they could enrol 615 shareholders and cultivate in an extent of 1,800 acres including in some tribal areas by adopting organic farming methods. Their turnover which is about Rs 20 lakh a month will multiply over the next few years.

The second organic mela in the city called Visakha Organic Mela will be held at AS Raja Grounds in posh MVP Colony, said Jalgam Kumara Swamy, convener of the Cow-based Nature Farmers Association. Over 100 stalls will be put up during the three-day fair.

Organic food and organic fertiliser companies, tribal and eco-friendly products and nurseries will participate. Admission is free for everyone. It will be open from 9 am to 10 pm. As part of the mela, a seminar on organic farming will be held on December 3 on how to raise and maintain terrace gardens. A training and health awareness program will be part of the exhibition involving the consumers.