Organic Growth at Sunder Nursery

Lakharwala Gumbad after restoration in 2018 at the Sunder Nursery 

A narrow lane in Nizamuddin East with big white tourist buses on one side and a long stretch of cars on the other, honking relentlessly, takes you to Sunder Nursery. Just opposite to the back gate of Humayun Tomb, few jhalmuri counters will welcome you. Tickets costing Rs 30 for Indians and Rs 150, Rs 300 for ASEAN countries and other foreign counties tourist respectively, luckily I was exempted for being “ministry wala”. Kids’ rolling down the grass slopes, few old ladies singing at kitty party and families sharing lunch- Sunder Nursery is now a new Sunday picnic spot for Delhiites. Spread across 90 acres this is a UNESCO World Heritage site in Delhi and has a small area dedicated to “Organic and Lifestyle’ Market.”

 After reading about it in Times of India, I planned to spoil my Sunday morning snooze, but counted it as one of the fascinating Sundays!

 The ‘organic and lifestyle’ market: 9 am to 2 pm every Sunday 

  “The rampant increase in illness graph across the globe is bringing people to a point that they are considering the fact that they have to move on from pesticides, chemical rubbish and they are coming back to real and fresh food” says Meenu Nageshwaran, the supervisor of ‘organic and lifestyle’ market. Up to 50 stalls that have been set up come up at 9 am till 2 pm also include several that have delectable for sale. Among them is a counter by Neshuh Arsaha from Manger village in Haryana’s Faridabad. “Among my popular products are Bazra Roti and Kadi Chawal. I’ve my own farm and produce only organic food. I also sell butter, yoghurt and buttermilk made from cow milk and I’ve my own 45 cows at the farm” he said. On being asked about the public response he said, “I’m selling organic vegetables from last 2-3 weeks here. People come here to have healthy food and the reason why my products are finished by 12:30 pm. Today we are six people from family working to keep up with the public demand.”  

Neshuh Arsaha from Faridabad selling organic food

  Demand for organic foods is primarily driven by consumer concerns for personal health and moreover for the environment. From the perspective of science and consumers, there is insufficient evidence in the scientific and medical literature to support claims that organic food is either safer or healthier to eat than conventional food. “Definitely it will benefit the health. Look, people don’t even know the difference between ordinary cow and A2 cow. Here, they are selling A2 cow ghee. It’s a good learning experience” said Vijay Kumar, an old man in mid 60s from Greater Kailash who came for the first time. Standing beside and gazing at her husband, Sushila said, “I’m a cancer survivor, so I’m use to it. It tastes unique and feels healthy. Also, I’m sure people will come back to organic food but today it’s not possible to eat this food daily because of it’s availability and price.”

Tanvir Logni is an entrepreneur from Okhla 

  Selling grains oil, desserts and 7 types of organic parathas made in grain oil, Tanvir Logni is confident that his sale will increase. “People here are very enthusiastic for using organic products. Parathas are my most popular product as people like to eat heavy breakfast on a Sunday morning!” said Tanvir who came from Okhla and runs a startup called “Foodspa.”Another Delhiite, Ganesh from Mayur Vihar was looking for future scope for his own organic farm at his hometown in Uttar Pradesh’s Gonda district. “I’m coming here for the first time and read about this market in the Navbharat Times. But you’ve to accept, products are really costly here. Maybe costly by the name of organic! I’ve been checking around such markets from last five months to modify my style of farming to earn more. I’ve to be tech savvy” he said.  42 years old, Annu Pardhan living at Jangpura is, also first timer at the market. She is selling Italian dish Lazania, full of goat cheese filled with chicken and bacon and is happy for good response. “I’m from Kolkata, so making tasty dishes is in my blood. I also have a raw food kitchen at my home.” Opposite to her stall is David who is combs, toothbrush, razor: all made from Bamboo.

Meenu Nageshwaran, the organizer sitting in white

   Meenu Nageshwaran from Earth Collective, who wished to give a platform to organic farmers, said, “So the farmers that are here they not only do organic and chemical free farming but also look upon doing regeneration of soil which is the future for the planet. Also, we are the first six inches of the top soil. We’ve to concentrate on regeneration farming to save this layer of soil.” On being asked about high prices, she replied, “I hope more people will realize this and more people will buy from us that will surely help in pricing factor, farmers will have to reduce the prices. I agree that prices are high but as you move stall to stall, there is a difference in prices depending on where the farmers are coming from.”

Some interesting facts:

1. ·         Did you know that Sikkim has been declared as the India’s first fully organic state?
2. ·         Did you know that total area under Organic certification is 5.71 million hectares?
3. ·         Did you know that India ranks first in terms of number of Organic producers?
4. ·         Did you know that India ranks 9th in area under Organic agriculture?
5. ·         Did you know that India exports around 1.35 million MTs of certified organic foods?

(Source: https://jaivikbharat.fssai.gov.in/)

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