All Women Organic Market to be held in Chennai

CHENNAI: An All Women Organic Market will be held here on September 1 and 2. The market, which is being organised by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women (TNCDW) and Organic Farmers Market (OFM), will be a space where women from all over the state can market their organic produce.
“We are conducting it for the first time,” says Ananthoo, one of the founders of OFM, adding that they came up with such an initiative as women in agriculture are totally hidden though 80% of the work is done by them.

“There are a lot of individual women as well as women and women’s groups doing it. They are not only producers but also involved in value addition. For instance, they may make atta out of the grains or make sweets and savouries from it.”

Though an increasing number of people are turning to organic farming, there is a big requirement to create a market where women agriculturists can market their products.

“Many women don’t find a good market easily. So they sell to the nearest market even if it is exploitative,” says Ananthoo, adding that markets are usually male-dominated.

“Creating markets for women has a double advantage as not only do they benefit but it also benefits the urban middle-class customer who gets it at a better price,” he adds.

Women from all districts of Tamil Nadu are expected to participate in the market which will have grocery, millets and millet-based edibles, fresh vegetables and fruits, traditional food, organic cotton garments, cloth bags, alternatives to plastic.

The All Women Organic Market will be held at Mother Theresa Women’s Complex, Valluvar Kottam High Road, from 10am to 8pm, on September 1 and 2.

Entry is free. Customers are requested to avoid plastics and bring their own bags and containers.