Organic Farming, a Sustainable Business

Seven years ago, Selvi and her family have been trained into organic practices. Unfortunately, the death of their trainer two years before halted their organic production. Her husband moved to city, the mother met some agripreneurs from SAAL, and move once again into organic farming, multi-cropping and bio pest-control.

While men are leaving rural side of Tamil Nadu looking for a better job, their wives stay to find a way for making their life sustainable. Among 80 % of Indian women living in countryside are working in agriculture field like Selvi, an organic farmer living in the rural part of Pudukottai.

The small farm has a good production of Tomatoes, Chilies, Coriander, Spinach, Radish, Ridge Gourd & Tapioca enough to sustain the entire family. The nearby village was not easily convinced about the cost-efficiency of organic farming, but it was reckoned without the motivation of Selvi to create a model-farm with a constant economy circulation allowed by multi-cropping. Like a viable circle following the nature cycle of tomatoes, chilies, then spinach yield near to the water canal, etc. all one at a time.

Few years ago, Selvi and her family were forced to sale their vegetables in Ponnapamari, a selling place for half of the market price. Since she entered on First Organics network through SAAL, she does not need to travel anywhere as the company comes and collects goods for the full market price. The most sustainable business for Selvi, who does not want to switch to conventional farming anymore.