New Delhi, Oct 26 (PTI) Union minister Maneka Gandhi Friday inaugurated the fifth edition of the Women of India National Organic Festival at Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA).
The festival is aimed at boosting organic culture and promoting women organic farmers and entrepreneurs.
The Woman and Child Development minister said woman entrepreneurs and farmers from across the country are participating in the event and selling their produce.
"And for the first time, vegan food and a food court have been introduced. Woman farmers and entrepreneurs from across the country are participating in the festival," she said, adding that the festival is anticipating a sale of Rs 3 crore this year.
Last year, there was a business worth Rs 2 crore.
Being the country's largest organic festival, it bears witness to the fact that women are the torchbearers of the nation's organic movement, Gandhi said.
The 10-day long organic festival, which will be held till November 4, will showcase producers and manufacturers of organic products from 26 Indian states.
Over 500 women entrepreneurs from Leh to Kanyakumari and from Kohima to Kutch have participated at the fest with their organic products, including 1,200 varieties of rice, several varieties of millets, cereals, pulses, spices, chilli chocolates, pumpkin seeds, cookies, pickles, dry fruits, oils, honey, tea, coffee, mushrooms, herbs, cosmetics, aromatherapy products, organic seeds, organic cotton fabrics, linen fabrics, seeds jewelry and fruit wines, among others.
In addition to the organic extravaganza on offer, there will also be cultural performances during the 10-day festival, focusing on folk music and dance. Visitors will be able to enjoy and be a part of soulful Baul music and scintillating performances from northeast, Punjab and Rajasthan.
To make the organic movement more accessible to public, the ministry has changed the venue for the 2018 edition to IGNCA and has kept entry and parking free for all.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)