The Organic Mahotsav is a 3-day festival to celebrate organic foods and farming, organised by the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI).

◊ By Benefit Publishing Bureau

Organic Mahotsav 2019 is the 7^th of the popular biennial conventions organised by the Organic Farming Association of India (OFAI). The event will be hosted in Udaipur, Rajasthan, at Shilpgram, from November 29 to December 1, 2019.

The convention provides a platform for organic farmers from all over India to share, learn and grow. Renowned scientists, policy makers, seed savers, innovators will come together to bring the developments in organic farming to a common platform – the ultimate goal being growth of farmers, while also replenishing natural resources.

As a new initiative this year, OFAI is involving consumers, who have been supporting the organic movement. Awareness and involvement of the youth in organic agriculture at every level is a key focus area. A youth incubation programme will be developed to promote innovative ideas in the field of organic farming.

“Since the huge success of the Organic World Congress in 2017, we continue to have different programmes in convention. As a new initiative this year, we are involving consumers. Awareness and involvement of youth in organic agriculture at every level is a key focus area for us. The agripreneur startup programme for the youth will promote innovative ideas in the field of organic farming,” says Illiyas KP, President, OFAI.

Shilpgram, situated 3 km from Udaipur, is spread across an undulating terrain between the Aravallis. It is an ethnographic museum depicting the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone.

Pure & Eco India is Organic Mahotsav 2019’s Media Partner.

HIGHLIGHTS OF ORGANIC MAHOTSAV 2019

Seed Biodiversity Festival: Seed is the basic input and lifeline of agriculture. Local farming communities have preserved, shared and reused their diverse indigenous seed varieties over generations.

The Mahotsav will bring together seed savers, organic farmers and farmer breeders from all over the country with the motto of promoting our desi (indigenous) varieties for nutritious and productive crops. More than 200 seed savers from across India will participate, with more than 4,000 seed varieties across grains, pulses, rice, vegetables, fruits, tubers, etc.

Go-Dhan Model: A model cow project displaying uses of cows in organic agriculture. Workshops and displays on production of value-added products using cow dung and cow urine such as bricks, vedic plaster, etc. The event will also show biodiversity among cows and other livestock from across India.

Demonstration of Model Organic Farm: Special plots will be prepared with the practical help of farmers and scientists, demonstrating how crops can be grown using organic techniques. An exhibition from various groups from various states will showcase their techniques and activities related to organic farming. Genuine and certified input providers for organic farming will display their farmer-friendly products. A demo space for medicinal plants and their uses will also be prepared.

Kissan Haat: This space will allow consumers to learn about and procure authentic organic produce directly from producers, as well as, interact with them. It opens up marketing opportunities for organic producers selling farm produce and value-added products.

Innovation Arena: Innovations of equipment, implements and organic technologies will be on display. Each project will represent a facet of our food and clothing value chain. This arena will provide a platform for innovators to reach a larger audience. Also, it will provide a rare opportunity to discuss innovation in organic farming with award-winning organic farmers from across India.

Organic Agripreneur Startup Camp: A camp for guiding and motivating young entrepreneurs in the organic farming space. The camp will endeavour to amplify their ideas into successful models through inputs and training.

Cultural Programmes: Every evening of the 3-day Mahotsav will be unique and celebratory, featuring vibrant cultural programmes related to organic farming and food.

Workshops, Exhibitions and Live Demonstrations: Workshops and demonstrations on Urban Gardening, Natural Dyeing, and Soil Health will be conducted to enable exchange of knowledge and provide interactive learning for all.

Gaba – Alternate Fashion: Gaba – Alternate Fashion is a unique show featuring desi cotton clothing dyed using natural materials. OFAI has collaborated with fashion designers to create clothing that is easily accessible and wearable in daily life.

The show will focus on promoting the value chain of desi cotton from farmer to consumer. The show aspires to bring slow and sustainable clothing into the mainstream and spread awareness about indigenous cotton.

The programme will include a ramp walk, interactive displays with fabrics and clothing, a networking session for producers, designers and students, as well as, an organic marketplace.

Gaba – Alternate Fashion will be hosted on November 30.

Aai ki Handi: A competition will be held for participants with old ancestral recipes from their mothers and grandmothers. This competition aims to bring back lost recipes, forgotten ingredients, and promote nutritional home-cooked meals. The recipes collected from all over India will be compiled into a book for food enthusiasts.

Aai ki Handi will be hosted on December 1.

Organic Food Festival: A one of its kind food festival serving delicious organic food from across the country. The goal is to reconnect urban consumers with healthy food traditions. The festival would help us to reconnect with our rich food heritage. The food festival will be open to registered participants and the Udaipur public from 12 pm onwards.

The Organic Food Festival will be hosted on December 1.

International Film Festival on Food & Farming: National and international films on various subjects such as Conservation of Natural Resources, Organic and Eco-Friendly Lifestyle, Food Safety, and Success Stories of Organic Farmers will be screened during the film festival.

The film festival will be hosted on December 1.

DETAILS:

Dates: 29, 30 November & December 1, 2019

Venue: Shilpgram, Udaipur, Rajasthan

Ph: +91 9875817520

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.convention.ofai.org