My Dream Will Come True Once People Start Eating Non-toxic Food – Rahibai Popere

Pune, March 12, 2022: I am appreciated for cultivating varieties of indigenous seeds but I want my work to reach every home. Everyone should have non-toxic food and vegetables on their plate. My dream will come true once people start eating non-toxic food, ” Rahibai Popere.

Awarded with the Padma Shri by the Government of India, Rahibai also known as ‘Beej Mata or Seed Mother’ was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award by Dr. Pramod Chaudhari, the Ethanol Man of India and Founder of Praj Industries during a ceremony organized by the United Western Business Forum for Small and Medium Entrepreneurs at Hotel Oritel in Hinjewadi on Friday.

Dr.S. M Pathan, former Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University, Vishal Sakhare, Hinjewadi village sarpanch and members of the Forum including Navnath Gaikwad, Mukesh Farande, Milind Mahajan, Rutuja Kapdekar, Yogita Tarar, Harish Chauhan and Amol Iwarkar were present on the occasion.

The female members of the forum felicitated Rahibai with a sari. The event was co-sponsored by Silver Line Electricals, Crown Concept Creative Brands and Shrikrishna Environment Consultant Pvt. Ltd.

Rahibai said, “Indigenous seeds and chemical free farming are good for our health. Organic production is not the only way to get produce as citizens can also grow vegetables at home, on the terrace or on the school grounds. Every field should have a vegetable garden and every child’s box should have fresh vegetables. More than 3000 women from nearby small villages have been involved in this initiative and farmers are engaged in farming in ten villages. About 300 varieties of seeds have been produced through this initiative.”

Dr. Pramod Chaudhari said, “The issue of hybrids and organic matter has become a matter of controversy all over the world. Hybrid farming may produce high yields but it can have adverse effects on health. We must increase the awareness of organic production and for that, organizations will have to come forward and take the work of Rahibai ahead. ”

Dr. Pathan said, “Today, the work for the livelihood of poor people is being done by Rahibai, who has set up a ‘seed bank’. We want to take this work forward. The Government of India has set up a ‘Gene Bank’ to ensure that the indigenous seeds of different species survive longer and that more research can be done on them.

Vishal Sakhare said, “If you want a healthy and fit body, there is no substitute for organic products. Chemical farming has detrimental effects on health and Rahibai knew this, so she started traditional, organic farming. Today she grows more than 150 varieties of seeds.”