When pandemic nudged people to grow their own organic food

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 28

Back in 2019, Major Singh, 41, an electrical officer in Merchant Navy, was skeptical about the much-advertised organic food. One of his friends in Lucknow, who was into using organic products, used to coax him to switch to organic food.

“I never really paid heed to it. But in early 2020, just when the lockdown was imposed, it was the first time I searched for organic food to build immunity,” he shares. A year later, Major and his family has created a small rooftop kitchen garden and turned an empty plot adjacent to his residence into a mini-organic farm. “We grow lady finger, eggplant, cucumber, bell peppers, chilies and lots of herbs. My wife and daughter help me in maintaining the garden,” he says. Ever since the pandemic struck, the demand for organic and naturally-sourced food has increased in the country. In Punjab, where the movement to shift towards natural farming was already growing, the shift towards natural and ethical food habits has been tremendous. “There is a tremendous increase in the number of people asking for guidance in growing their own food and setting up kitchen gardens. It’s time people realise that medicines won’t fix their immunity, clean and healthy lifestyle can,” says Rohit Mehra, an IRS officer and the man behind introducing the concept of seed balls and vertical gardens in Punjab. Rohit and his team is now helping people train in growing vegetables and fruits organically.

“Kitchen gardens are low maintenance and first step towards sustainable living. We promote the concept of zero waste, creating compost from kitchen waste, seasonal farming and growing medicinal herbs and plants at home,” he adds. Major Singh set up his kitchen garden at a total expenditure of Rs3,000. “I have learnt a lot while working in my garden. All it needs is a bit of your time, which we all have now, thanks to the pandemic,” he says.

Gunbir Singh, who has been at the forefront of promoting organic farmer’s market and natural farming practices in the city, has been mentoring many like Major to grow their own food and learn to make a lifestyle shift. After Covid 19 restrictions affected organic farmers’ market in the city, Gunbir and his team has been making home deliveries of organic produce sourced from local farmers through their label The Earth Store.

“Earlier, we used to deliver thrice a week, but now the

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