Farmers growing organic veggies seek administration help

Minna Zutshi

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 7

While the farmers growing pesticide-free vegetables in Ludhiana district are facing the problem of unsold produce, the regular customers of organic vegetables are finding it tough to procure these vegetables.

Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, the farmers growing organic vegetables regularly brought their produce at weekly markets on Saturdays and Sundays in Ludhiana city. Residents bought these vegetables in bulk so that the supplies lasted at least a week. Eating fresh, pesticide-free food that is grown locally is not only a healthy option but also makes a good ecological choice, claimed customers.

The farmers agree that the Covid-19 crisis is an unprecedented situation. They feel that to contain the spread of the virus, lockdown is absolutely essential and imposition of curfew is also understandable. However, they urge that some kind of mechanism for the delivery of organic vegetables to customers needs to be worked out.

Many of these farmers with modest means braved the odds to cultivate organic vegetables. Right from cultivation to transportation and marketing of the produce, the farmers have been spearheading the cause of healthy food, says farmer Chamkaur Singh.

These farmers have urged the district administration to work out a way for the supply of organic vegetables in the city. Appealing the district administration to save the vegetable growers from the trauma of financial losses, Chamkaur Singh said, “At least curfew passes for the farmers can be arranged so that they can deliver their produce to their regular customers on their doorstep.”