Initiated as an annual event linking farmers, grass root entrepreneurs and artisans to conscious consumers at Habibullah Estate, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in 2015, Lucknow Farmers Market was born.
Lucknow Farmers Market presents a simple unadulterated way of living your life organically. Proudly carrying the slogan to Rethink-Reduce-Reuse-Recycle, they present 100% natural chemical free products, committing themselves to the philosophy of reliable and ethical farming, promoting local seasonal produce. People from all walks of life have come together reviving and presenting local specialties, products from a simpler time, which are locally produced, grown and seasonal, reducing your carbon footprint and with no processing or harmful additives.
This is the first such inclusive online sustainable platform supporting farmers, rural, grass-root and start-up entrepreneurs and allied services carrying the message to live sustainably and be earth friendly. Each of us needs to reduce our carbon footprint for a better tomorrow.
When asked about the vision and inspiration behind Lucknow Farmers Market, founder, Jyotsna Habibullah says, “With the increased use of chemicals like, pesticides and artificial agents, I decided to make a switch from regular to organic and natural products for myself and my family. With the intentions of spreading awareness about living an organic, healthy lifestyle and reconnecting with nature, this enriching journey started in the year 2013, and has been growing ever since. We started with one market every year to four markets every year. The market was set up at Habibullah estate, Hazratganj, Lucknow, a 250-year old heritage space remodelled and converted into a boutique retail space. 2021 marks a milestone for us as we switch to an online platform to connect consumers directly with producers and create an online platform to enable everyone to take a step towards sustainable living. India has a long and rich history of natural and organic way of life, somehow over generations we just forgot them to adapt practices that go against our natural habitat.”
The aim is to build a community that believes in the green ethos of ‘Eat Local & Seasonal; Reuse; Recycle; Don’t discard; Resell; Don’t waste; Share; Donate; Reduce waste; Replenish resources; Live Sustainably!’
Sustainable Living Made Easy
Further Jyotsna adds, “When I went out in search of such products direct from farmers and producers, I realised that it was harder than I had expected. There is an ever widening gap between farmers and consumers, so vast that it was evident to me, despite us being in the prime farming belt of India. This revelation led to the current scenario, a space where many entrepreneurs and conscious citizens have joined me to bring together like minded conscious consumers and producers to ensure a better tomorrow.
Initially, it was hard to convince farmers to come on board, explaining to them the concept, advantages and goals of this platform wasn’t easy. Building a client base was a challenging task since people were very sceptical regarding the genuineness of the products. But, once they used the products it became evident to them that these products make a difference. It’s better for food to be your medicine instead of medicine being your food.”
Lucknow Farmers Market offers a wide variety of products ranging from natural and organic food products as well as sustainable gifting and learning opportunities. Lucknow farmers market is a one stop for all conscious consumers and producers for all natural and organic products. It is a platform that offers a wide range of organic, direct from farmers, natural and handcrafted products and services. Currently they have approximately 550 products, 25 partners and they are also launching Farm Shares and Farm Stays. The Lucknow Farmers Market community is blessed to have over 150 local farmers, artisans and entrepreneurs linked with them. These are mostly in and around UP but they have the network to link pan India farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
The services include apiculture, hydroponics, naturopathy, digital marketing and aquaponics. They also try to come up with events and courses on a regular basis to ensure you can take the first step towards your journey to sustainable living. Through these courses they aim at spreading knowledge, awareness and bringing more people into this revolution which is the only way we can survive.
Interactive online community
Lucknow Farmers Market is not just an e-commerce website, it is an interactive online community, teaching enthusiastic learners through online courses, entertaining and educating our audience through blogs (insights) and inspiring all generations through several success stories (Phoenix stories).
Jyotsna has been conducting Lucknow Farmers Market since 2013. They started with one market a year to four markets per year. Conducting the markets, meeting new people and watching the rate at which the message of organic and sustainable living is spreading is a wonderful high.
This year, Lucknow Farmers Market will be conducted on October 17, 2021 by taking several precautions to avoid the spread of Covid. To start with there is thermal screening at the Entry and Exit Gate. The use of masks at all times is mandatory. The complete facility will be sanitised and use of hand sanitisers is stressed upon. The staff will also be maintaining social distancing norms. Posters displaying the precautions to be followed are also kept at several locations as reminders.
Jyotsna outlines the future roadmap, “Lucknow Farmers Market presents a simple unadulterated way of living your life organically. Being determined to make change, a change that not only allows us to breathe healthy but also brings relief to mother nature. With environmental degradation, there is no future to look at. It is essential for each one of us to take a step. With those thoughts and the wish to sustain lives one generation after the other, it has been my pleasure to bring together a team of people from different spheres of life to revive the ideals of living sustainably. We wish to continue spreading the importance of living a sustainable, healthy and organic life in the years to come and keep expanding our partner base to incorporate as many start up entrepreneurs and grass root farmers onto our online platform. We would like everyone to have access to products and services to ensure a healthy life. Be more conscious about what we use, reduce, reuse, recycle, rethink. Join us and be part of the change.”
For more information on the Lucknow Farmers Market: Click Here
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