Welthungerhilfe and its partners Living Farms, Development Research Communication and Services Centre (DRCSC) and Centre for World Solidarity have come up with a smallholder product brand called ‘Bhoomi Ka’ (literally means Of the Earth in English). Following the concept of ‘Clean, green and fair’, the initiative seeks to link all people in the food supply chain (farmers-retailer-consumers) to ensure food that is responsibly grown and for which the farmer gets a fair price.
The brand, as well as its website www.bhoomika.com, were launched in the presence of Dr S.K. Malhotra, Agriculture Commissioner, – Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and Mr Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, the Dharti Mitr or the Best Organic farmer of India Awardee. Also present at the event were Dr Krishan Chandra, Director, National Center of Organic Farming and Mrs Vandna Dwivedi – Additional Director (INM) – Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. (Also read: Bharat mein pehli baar jaivik krishi kumbh ka aayojan, an article by Bharat Dogra)
People checking out the stall
“We along with small farmers of India, are launching ‘Bhoomi Ka’ – India for Eco Food campaign, to recognize the fundamental role of smallholder farmers in food production and to create access for clean green and fair food for all,” said Anshuman Das of Welthungerhilfe.
Under the brand, smallholders associated with this campaign can bring in their products such as fresh vegetables and fruits, grains, pulses, lentils, cereals and seeds and make it available for consumers on a regular basis. The idea is also to sensitize trade, consumers and the public at large, for smallholder products across the country with the possibility of creating co-branding.
Products under the BhoomiKa brand
As a platform, Bhoomi Ka seeks to help smallholder producers grow food ecologically, get an organic certification (PGS), take the surplus to a retail chain and create a market for them by sensitising consumers and increasing awareness of ‘Clean, green and fair’.
Besides, under the initiative, regular workshops and recipe demos are being conducted for school children, residential colonies, restaurants and hospitals about locally available nutritious food such as millets, healthy diet and about farmers, who produce the food.
The BMZ supported initiative currently works in Delhi, Kolkata, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar and Jamshedpur.
Also read
Promoting sustainable local food systems for a better rural-urban connect in India
