The Women of India Organic Festival organized by the Ministry of Women & Child Development came to a successful close on 15th October, 2017.
The festival was organized at Dilli Haaat, INA, New Delhi as the largest festival of organic products by women farmers and producers.
The Women of India Organic Festival has now become an annual event and exhibits/offers for sale most varied range of organic products including food, kitchen products, spices, pure fabric to wellness, personal care among others.
The total sales by the women farmers and entrepreneurs who came from 25 States was INR 1.84 Crores in this year’s women of India Organic Festival.
Women participated from as far as Ladakh, Manipur, Sikkim and Pudduchery along with other states of the country.
The festival saw footfall of around 2.35 lakhs visitors.
The Women of India Organic Festival 2017 was inaugurated at Dilli Haat, INA by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi and Minister of State, Dr. Virender Kumar on 1st October, 2017.
Organic food has been proven to contain far more vitamins, minerals and nutrients than similar foods produced with chemical fertilizers, pesticides and preservatives.
Economically too, organic farming is preferable since it ultimately reduces cost of cultivation by 20-40% and increases the incomes of farmers by improving quality of production as well as the quality of soil.
Above all, children are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of pesticide exposure.
A concerted effort is needed to promote this sustainable alternative, thereby boosting the financial well-being of farmers as well as the health and longevity of consumers especially children.”
The main aim of the Festival was to support and encourage women and women-led groups that promote organic farming, thus supporting their local community’s economy, creating jobs and keeping farmers thriving, in addition to spreading proper awareness about the benefits of organic products.
The participants of Women of India Organic Festival 2017 also enrolled themselves in Mahila E-Haat, another initiative of the Ministry of Women & Child Development to meet the aspirations and needs of women entrepreneurs.
This unique e-platform exponentially strengthens the socio-economic empowerment of women beyond the Festival.
