SEVAI/PVF Self Help women groups show way for vegetable cultivation in Trichy

vegetables classified for marketing by SHG farmers of SEVAI

A small area in the Trichy district of Tamil nadu, Andanallur Block is noted for its large production of commodities such as vegetables, bananas and flowers. This area sends freshly produced tomatoes, drumsticks, brinjals (eggplant), bhendi, onion, gourds and Greens to Trichy and Jasmine to Mumbai, and other parts of Tamil Nadu. Other commodities that can be shopped for at Peetavaithalai weekly market include, mangoes, pumpkin, green chillies, beans and others. The women Self help groups cultivate these vegetables in Trichy town and the producers also consume the vegetables for their nutritious status. Thanks for SEVAI for educating women for vegetable growing and also marketing after their own consumption. Agriculture and horticulture are the most predominant sector of the economy of India. Tamilnadu state is historically known for its agriculture from ancient times. But now this is steadily declining due to industrialization and real estate business. The younger generation rapidly moves out of villages due to education and white collar jobs and that is also worst hit this sector. Horticulture is an important segment of Agriculture sector which contributes about one - fifth share in the economy of Agriculture and allied sectors. mangos and bananas are the leading fruit crops in Tamil Nadu accounting for over 87% of the total fruit production.  Tamil Nadu is also a leading state in the production of flowers with the total production of horticulture crops. The organic agriculture gets the true value of money for their products and is that easy for them to sell, provided all the organic shops are selling truly organic products.

Growing vegetables is a great way to save money by providing much of our own food, with just a little work. It's an integral part of our Self Help program of Self Help Group food production program activities of SEVAI Women SHG program. In light of the high price of produce, growing vegetables of our own makes perfect sense today. Instead of complaining or worrying, let’s turn our energy toward doing something about the high cost of groceries. Let’s start growing vegetables to reduce our monthly food bill. Even if you have just a small yard, you can grow plenty of vegetables to feed yourself, and it matters little where you live. We use minimum water as we use a drip system to water; we stop weeds with mulch, Size the garden to match our interests, time and enthusiasm and Grow plants in containers instead of beds. Growing vegetables is also educational. We get to see something miraculous from start to finish. Growing vegetables from seed is one way to enjoy a renewal of life each year. It is one of the miracles of life that each of us can enjoy on a first-hand basis. horticulture sector needs ‘well-functioning Market’ to drive growth, employment and economic prosperity. The Department of Agricultural Marketing needs to enhance many activities, some of them are, Establishment and maintenance of practical marketing centre for the benefit of farmers as well as consumers, Establishment and maintenance of regulated markets to facilitate marketing of agricultural produce for the benefit of the farming community, Creating awareness among the farmers about the benefits of grading, marketing, value addition and processing their produce through regulated markets by taking up training, publicity and propaganda,Ag-mark grading of agricultural, animal husbandry and forestry products for the benefit of the consumers, Setting up Agriculture Export Zones for promoting export of agricultural produce by increasing the area under exportable crops and also providing necessary post harvest management and other infrastructure required and information on prices prevailing at international markets as an integrated approach, Dissemination of market price information of various districts through media on a daily basis for the benefit of farming community, Promotion of Food Processing to minimize wastage of agricultural products and to increase employment opportunities. Govin