Surat’s first exclusively organic farmers market opens

Surat: The city's first farmers market exclusively for organic produce was inaugurated in Vesu on Monday by governor Acharya Devvrat. The market has been developed jointly by the Surat Municipal Corporation and Surat district panchayat and is located near SD Jain College.
At the market, farmers will sell their produce directly to consumers. It will be open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 8am to 11am. The market has space for 70 farmers who are practising natural farming.
"The state govt has been working over the past few years to improve public health, preserve soil fertility and protect the environment. Natural farming is the only solution," the governor said, pointing out the increasing incidence of diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart trouble even among children.
"Excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture has led to food contamination. To ensure a safe future, natural farming is essential," he added. He urged everyone to support this movement by promoting both consumer health and environmental protection.
The governor also appealed to Surtis to visit the market in large numbers to buy naturally farmed products. He said if people spend money on buying natural farming produce instead of hospital bills, they will be healthy and disease-free.
He also shared that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently declared the Natural Farming Mission a national mission and allocated Rs 1,481 crore in the Union Budget to promote it across the country.
In the recent past, various exhibition fairs and temporary markets for organic produce have been organized at regular intervals. After considering the interest of citizens, a permanent facility has been developed to further raise awareness.