NWFPC empowers women through organic farming | Fusion - WeRIndia

The COVID-19 pandemic had devastated local economies, wiping out the stable, though low-paying, jobs that many village women relied on.

In this crisis, Deepa, a 36-year-old farmer from Kattankulam village in Uthiramerur block, Kancheepuram, decided to embrace traditional organic farming.

She saw organic farming as a means to create sustainable livelihoods for herself and others.

With fair pricing and organic practices, she believed the situation could be transformed.

Deepa wasn’t alone in her mission. Hundreds of women farmers followed her lead.

All these women were inspired by the efforts of the Nandivarman Mathi Women Farmer Producer Company Limited (NWFPC).

This cooperative, which focuses on empowering women through organic farming, offered a solution to the challenges farmers faced, such as middlemen and transportation costs.

Deepa says that farming has become easier now. She practices organic farming on her two-acre plot.

NWFPC purchases her crops, like groundnut and black gram, directly from her land and even handles the transport.

NWFPC, chaired by B Selvi, was formed in 2022 with 1,500 women shareholders, each investing ₹1,000.

The company aims to preserve traditional farming practices and ensure fair pricing for agricultural products without middlemen. It promotes organic farming.

By offering low-interest loans and continuous guidance, the organisation helps women like Deepa overcome the economic challenges they face post-pandemic.

The NWFPC also uses innovative strategies to grow its business.

One notable example is the revival of the barter system, which they used to exchange groundnuts for traditional millets like black rice and Ragi from the farmers in the Jawadhu Hills.

This exchange connects farmers across regions, expanding the company’s product range and keeping alive century-old traditions.

The company’s income is still modest, under ₹4 lakh annually, but the directors, including Deepa, remain hopeful about future growth.

NWFPC is also looking forward to launching online sales through a dedicated website and mobile app to reach a broader market.

The story of NWFPC is not just about farming—it’s about empowering women to build a self-sustaining community.

Image from Pxhere (Free for commercial use / CC0 Public Domain)

Image Published on July 16, 2017

Image Reference: https://pxhere.com/en/photo/1413980