Shanties for organic produce to be set up in Tiruvannamalai soon

Talking to DT Next, the Collector said, “The market will function at the Esanya Maidan this Saturday where we expect nearly 400 traders to participate. However, we plan to allocate space exclusively for farmers who on their own will sell vegetables and fruits grown organically, without the use of chemicals.”

Participants would not be charged any user fee as “we understand the issues they face as inputs for organic growth are costly,” the Collector said.

While the Tiruvannamalai market will become a weekly affair, the next step is to begin similar ventures in Arani and Cheyyar town. While the Cheyyar organic market would start operations within a week, the one in Arani is expected to be set up very soon due to the existence of a vegetable market recently inaugurated by HR&CE Minister ‘Sevvoor’ S Ramachandran.

Asked how the market would be named, the Collector said, “We are yet to decide on a name, but it will be decided in collaboration with the farmer participants.”

Tiruvannamalai farmers, who are coordinating the organic market venture with Collector Kandasamy, said, “Efforts would be made to ensure that only naturally grown products are sold in the shanty. To ensure this, we have a formed a team to inspect farms of prospective participants to ensure the products’ quality.”

Market coordinator G Pichandi said, “As of now, participants will be allowed only through personal recommendation as we do not want to get a bad name by selling products grown with chemical fertilisers.”

Deputy coordinator M Nandakumar said, “Already, the team we formed to ensure quality have visited ten farmers to satisfy ourselves that they market only organically grown vegetables and fruits. This will be an ongoing process as the team will visit various farmers regularly without their knowledge.”

Coordination committee working president Kamalanathan said, “Initially, we expect farmers only to bring greens and paddy. Hence we are making effort to create awareness among them on growing other fruits and vegetables.”

“As most of us have participated in a similar venture in Vellore on Sundays, we know we have our work hard to ensure quality,” Nandakumar said.