Kerala: Organic, truly

KOZHIKODE: Onam is around the corner and stalls that attract consumers have already started sprouting in the state. Onam discount sales and fairs are everywhere in the cities and, though less in number, in small towns and villages. Organic vegetables have become an important choice for Malayalees along with new clothes for the family members. Malayalees’ increasing liking for the organic vegetables and the fear of the ‘poisoned' ones from other states had seen its impact the last Onam season itself. Residents' associations have taken up organic farming and families turned to homestead farming.

The result - the prices of vegetables reached a stability last Onam after decades.
Shoppers are ready to pay more for the organic varieties if they are not able to grow them in their kitchen garden. But even food safety authorities have raised concern over the genuineness of the organic vegetables sold through the open market. There is no mechanism to check whether these vegetables are organic as they claim or not. Agriculture minister V.S. Sunil Kumar said the less number of laboratories and their slow testing are delaying the quality checking.

“We have currently two labs to check the quality of the vegetables. They take a minimum of six and a half hours to test one sample," he says. "How is it possible to check all the samples that we send on a regular basis? The department has sanctioned funds to the Agriculture University to start four more labs. Currently, good agriculture practice (GAP) certification is the only method to ensure the quality of the farm products.” Now in the state, only 36 Krishi Bhavans and two other agencies have the licence to issue GAP certification, he says.

The situation will improve once the 200 Krishi Bhavans are upgraded to agro-clinics, for which procedures are underway. “Nearly 200 trainers who have passed the plant management course will train farmers in each block to promote organic farming. Still, we have trouble ensuring organic pesticides and manure,” said the minister. Though the previous UDF government had suggested inspections at the check-posts, this is also not viable in the present condition of labs. The government would not be directly intervening in the sale of organic vegetables by private organisations and political parties this time, however, there would be restrictions next time.

On Friday, health minister K.K. Shylaja will chair a meeting of the officials, including the food and safety, to chalk out measures for immediate action on adulterated food and vegetables in the market. Mr Kumar said an integrated approach, involving the agriculture, health and food safety departments only could root out the problems of fake organic vegetables and ‘adulterated food. He insisted that the prices would be low this Onam.

101 families make Rs 25 lakh a year

Formed ten years ago, the Niravu, the organic products promoters, has an extended chain of 101 families. They have a registered outlet in Vandipetta, Kozhikode, though the vegetables and fruits come from 101 kitchen gardens in Ward 10 of Vengeri. Each family will have a particular code, displayed with the products they sell also. If any purchaser has any complaint on the product, the system helps to identify the farmer easily. There is also another speciality - the farmers get 90 percent of the profit.

The Niravu has become so popular in Kozhikode that they have made a profit of Rs 25 lakh last year, says its coordinator Babu Parambath. The outlet supplies even pesticides, manure and weedicides, ensuring that the whole process of cultivation is organic. They also availed of 10 biogas plants with subsidies, and ten families can utilise each of them. The rate of vegetables is almost same, except for a few that are in huge demand.