Northeast India Is The Best Organic Farming Hot Spot Of India

Northeast India Is The Best Organic Farming Hot Spot Of India

On a recent visit to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Meghalaya, our group was told that Northeast India is organic by default. This means most small farms have never used pesticides or fertilizers. Farmers are still using traditional methods of farming. Old fashioned farming has become a strength.
Northeast India Is The Best Organic Farming Hot Spot Of India

Northeast India Is The Best Organic Farming Hot Spot Of India

On a recent visit to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in Meghalaya, our group was told that Northeast India is organic by default. This means most small farms have never used pesticides or fertilizers. Farmers are still using traditional methods of farming. Old fashioned farming has become a strength.
Aarohi - Organization Helping Farmers in Uttarakhand

Aarohi - Organization Helping Farmers in Uttarakhand

Aarohi was founded in 1992 and started a livelihood promotion program as part of their development initiatives. This organization has brought changes to the people of Uttarakhand and its initiatives have made a significant impact on 57 villages. They are producing apricot & peach body care products, culinary herbs, herbal teas, and fragrant potpourris. They teach farmers how to grow the ingredients, process, package & sell via e-commerce and through 67 retail outlets in India. They also encourage small scale organic cultivation of 17 varieties of herbs that will grow in the cool climate of the Himalayan foothills. They teach the small scale farmers how to a)grow organically b)harvest the product c)store it safely d)market their products & e)Packaging and selling herbs for cooking, herbal tea as well as potpourris and fragrance. You can buy their products at Aarohi.org. The site is beautiful, full of information and a role model to many. Learn about the government schemes to help farmers. Download ebook. They have smartly started 30 Farmers Clubs. These groups discuss how to create more income by learning about new techniques and technology, improve marketing and make connections. This looks like a great organization. Visit their website and you will discover that they do a lot more. I only touched on the things related to agriculture, natural products and social entrepreneurship. Read about ICAR, another innovative organization we have learned from. 
Organic Farming in India - A Push by The Government of Meghalaya

Organic Farming in India - A Push by The Government of Meghalaya

Zizira is a food products company that operates from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in the Northeast part of India – a region known for its verdant landscape, natural springs that irrigate fields, and unique herbs and spices. Over 80% of the population depend on agriculture but struggle to market their produce. Zizira is striving to open markets for them.
Next Generation Farmers Moving Away From Farming?

Next Generation Farmers Moving Away From Farming?

What happens if next-generation farmers move away from farming in an agrarian economy? This question came up during a Zizira field visit where the team met with farmers who have been following farming as that is what their parents did.
Organic Ginger Is A Specialty At Duh's Farm An Mawtnum Village

Organic Ginger Is A Specialty At Duh's Farm An Mawtnum Village

A small team of three visited Duh in her farm in Mawtnum village in early May 2015. Read all about Cinnamon that grows in Duh’s field. Other than Cinnamon, Duh also grows organic ginger, bird eye chillies, Pineapples and green pepper. The fruits and vegetables she grows are sold in the local markets of Meghalaya.
Meghalaya Organic Plums Gets Good Returns For A Lady farmer

Meghalaya Organic Plums Gets Good Returns For A Lady farmer

Come July, the season for juicy, delicious plums starts in Meghalaya, one of the seven sister states of Northeast India. Zizira had introduced you ...
Organic Farming Certification Logo of India

Organic Farming Certification Logo of India

What you see here is the official India Organic logo which can be used for products that use organic ingredients and qualify to be certified. Team Zizira’s effort to get a better understanding of the very term Organic is an ongoing one. As we learn, we would like to share with you. Some of what we present here may seem too 'technical', but are important for a deeper understanding of what is 'certified organic'.
Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides used in Meghalaya | Zizira

Chemical Fertilizers and Pesticides Used in Nongthadroin Village, Meghalaya

The ill effects of using chemical fertilizers and pesticides are well known. In Meghalaya, one of the seven states of Northeast India, many depend on agriculture for their living. Most farmers in this beautiful, verdant state are known to follow natural, organic farming, as did their parents and generations before them. A field visit by Zizira throws up interesting facts. Read on..
Strawberry from Meghalaya

Growing Strawberries Changed the Lives of Farmers

Zizira operates from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya in the Northeast part of India – a region known for its verdant landscape, natural springs that irrigate fields, and unique herbs and spices. Over 80% of the population depend on agriculture but struggle to market their produce. Zizira is striving to open markets for them.
Blessed Meghalaya Scenery: My 4 Day Trip To 5 Places in Meghalaya

Blessed Meghalaya Scenery: My 4 Day Trip To 5 Places in Meghalaya

Are you a person who has always stayed in the city like Mumbai, Delhi or Pune? If yes, you will understand what it is like to leave one and move to a completely different place like Shillong. Although challenging, this move was more exciting for me than ever.

I still remember on the day when I told my colleagues and friends that I will be moving to Shillong. They all worked like my private investigators to find out the details about this city. Out of concern for my food habits, hobbies, and security, they found out really amazing things, including the crime rates in Shillong.