An Organic Bhiwadi

When was the last time you asked your vegetable vendor about the origin of the veggies you are buying? We asked them recently, and it’s not in Bhiwadi! Almost all the produce ranging from vegetables to food grains comes either from New Delhi or Jaipur and it is mostly not organic. Is Bhiwadi, which was a hub of agricultural village, not capable of growing its own organic food? A study by Food Safety and Standards Authority addressed the alarming state of food we eat and how our plates are filled with harmful pesticides which are way above the normal limit. It was hence essential to assess our city’s produce and what the people of Bhiwadi eat.

As per the farmer Ramkishan, Bhiwadi’s soils are alluvial and highly capable of growing a variety of vegetables ranging from tomato to cauliflower. Then why do we not eat vegetables which are grown in Bhiwadi? As Bhiwadi is now set to be an industrial city, all agrarian lands have been modified in the recent development plan of Bhiwadi, which is why agriculture has depleted and so has the produce. The people of Bhiwadi participated in a survey to quote their aspirations about Organic Food in their city.

Organic Farming in Bhiwadi- A survey by The Bhiwadi Lab

Around 96% respondents believe in eating organic food and around 90% think that there are not enough organic food resources available in Bhiwadi. When asked “If a big organic farm opens up in Bhiwadi and sells Organic Food in lower prices than big brands, will you buy organic food?”, 92.5% people responded ‘Yes’ and around 6.5% people will buy sometimes. Towards the end of the survey, 94.8% people think that there should be encouraging reforms in Bhiwadi to elevate organic food resources.

Organic food is usually pricey because of its lesser demands. But in Bhiwadi where a vast majority of people are inclined towards organic, the prices can be easily regulated and people can eat healthy.