Appetite for organic food on the rise
Only a small number of people living in urban areas prefer organic food, which, inspite of being cultivated in larger quantities, forms only 1 per cent of the total agricultural produce. But demand is certainly increasing.“Cultivation and consumption of organic food have definitely increased. But the production of organic food hasn't increased by more than 1 per cent. A major portion of our food is contaminated by chemicals,” said Gulam Rabanni, the organiser of Unnayan Bikalper Nitinirdharoni Gobeshona (UBINIG).
Nowadays, there are many local stores in the capital selling organic fruits and vegetables. People are becoming more aware of the health hazards posed by pesticides and harmful chemical additives, prompting some organisations, including UBINIG, Nayakrishi Andolon, Prakritik Krishi Biponon Kendra and Shoshsho Probortona to open outlets and produce organic food across the country.
Prakritik Krishi Biponon Kendra commenced its journey on October 24, 2014, in Dhaka on an experimental basis. It primarily started selling hormone- and chemical-free crops from 9am on every Friday and Saturday, Delowar Jahan, coordinator of Prakritik Krishi Biponon Kendra told The Independent. “Farmers produce crops but they don’t know where to sell them. So, I took this initiative to make a platform named ‘Prakritik Krishi Biponon Kendra’ where farmers can find a place to sell and display their products and consumer can get a chance to buy them.
For More:http://www.theindependentbd.com/post/181034