Dehradun's Organicity

Over the past couple of weeks I have learned that I am interning with some fascinating individuals all very active in food systems back in their respective countries and communities. And so when word spread around Bija Vidyapeeth that there was indeed an organic market in Dehradun, we all jumped at the opportunity to attend one afternoon. Often tempted by the sweet biscuits and packaged foods we can find at the end of the road in between meals we were all excited to explore a greater variety of fresh fruits and vegetables from the region. However, as our driver headed into Dehradun and through the bustling city center, the crowded streets blocked by cows, littered with potholes and pedestrians suddenly transformed into some sort of order. The roads became lined with trees, large mansions, an actual white line painted down the middle of the road, and each lane only had one car, rather than two and a half. We were in the suburbs. And rather than being dropped off at a typical farmers' market we have all become so fond of at home, we were dropped just inside the gates of a beautiful, English-style mansion. We were then ushered into the grand foyer of this home where we were eagerly greeted by about seven vendors. The atmosphere was a mix of what I would imagine it would be like to have tea with senior citizens in a country club that also happened to be a Whole Foods store.

Each vendor was marketing organic food that included many ready-made items such as: organic pizza, sushi, lemon tarts, tulsi tea, wheatgrass, and even egg salad sandwiches to raise money for children in Nepal. And while we all gluttonously enjoyed the food, this is not quite what  expected. We all ordered a plate and sat around a tea set to talk more about Organicity with the founders. It was apparent that none of the vendors, besides those raising money for a cause were really present to make money, but more to socialize and even talk about how awesome the organic movement is. I left the market with a perspective that farming to many of them was more of a hobby to these organic vendors than a way of life. They seemed to have obtained land that happened to have avocados or guavas growing, and then hired help to sell these products to the organic market.  


In fact, the organic market in India has been somewhat disappointing to me. While Navdanya is encouraging organic agriculture to move away from pesticides, I can't help but notice that many organic products I see in town are over-priced convenience foods. And I have doubts that chemical agriculture will be transformed from the foyer of a mansion in the suburbs of Dehradun. More needs to happen in the fields, in the everyday markets, and in the homes of even the most resource-poor citizens. Education, availability, and community outreach were all missing from this 'Organicity' which I think is what disappointed me the most.

Banner hanging in the front lawn.

The lone vegetable vendor.