The organic cultivation of foodgrains has brought some farmers in north Karnataka closer to a consumer group in Mangaluru.

The Savaya Krushika Grahaka Balaga (SKGB), a group of 45 like-minded consumers of organic produce in Mangaluru, have been purchasing organic foodgrains from 10 farmers in Bayaluseeme since August 2017.

The SKGB has purchased about 2 tonnes (2,000 kg) of produce six times since then. Members of the consumer group include doctors, engineers, bank employees, home makers and advocates.

The SKGB has a WhatsApp group and collects indents on the quantity of produce required by each member every month. The produce is purchased directly from the farmers.

Once the produce arrives in Mangaluru, members of the group repack it as per the demand.

The cost of produce, transportation, repacking is calculated and the price per kilogram fixed. The produce is then taken home.

“We don’t stock any produce, as only the required quantity of produce is purchased,” Sameera Rao E. Kinya, secretary of SKGB, told The Hindu.

Explaining the benefits to both farmers and consumers, he said that the consumers got produce at a cheaper rate as compared to purchasing from organic outlets or shops. “We have found that organic produce need not be costly like in the open market,” he said.

As the farmers have been identified after thorough examination and field visits by some organic farmers from Dakshina Kannada, the members need not have any doubt about the quality of the produce.

On the other hand, the growers got a good price for their produce.

Mr. Rao said that the SKGB mainly purchases foodgrains because they are not grown in the coastal belt. The suppliers are marginal farmers with land holdings of up to 20 acres.

If more consumers form such mini groups and purchase produce directly, it would ensure a sustained market for organic farmers. It would also prompt more farmers to go the organic way, he said.

To create more avenues to their suppliers, the SKGB organised a two-day organic mela in Mangaluru from February 24 at Balam Bhat Hall.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Mangaluru / by Raviprasad Kamila / February 24th, 2018