“Being a part of this activity, I will be able to contribute to the agriculture sector. I will surely implement this in the field for the farmers so that they could avail with this innovative work which can improve their economic life” said Priyanka Das from Silchar.

Priyanka is one of the Caritas Samaritan from the North-East zone of Caritas India. Like Priyanka, a team of Caritas Silchar Samaritans was instrumental in selling products by farmers in the urban area. The program was organized with the objective of connecting farmers to the urban sector for the marketing of organic products. This has always resulted in facilitating the farmers to get good price for their produce. The stalls were put up in continuation to the Kisan Mela organized under the FARM program of Northeast. It was initiated to promote and market the local farmers and artesian.

The second phase of the FARM Northeast programme focused on the people led development movement where men and women will be equally responsible in reflection and in the decision-making process. The programme also believed in the inclusion of women in every activity. In 2019, through Caritas India’s Intervention trolleys were procured to attract the buyers. Conducting this program at regular intervals contributed to gaining momentum in the promotion of farm products in the urban sector.

Priyanka also added that “from this programme, I was able to attain knowledge about organic farming and got to know about the differences between chemical-free products and chemical products; I am thankful to Caritas India, Seva Kendra Silchar and Ms. Bonani Bhattacharjee, Coordinator, Seva Kendra to present us with this opportunity to introduce ourselves to this new world.

Inclusion of Caritas Samaritans added new flavor to the program. It not only contributed to increasing the knowledge base of the volunteers but also contributed to displaying the products in an attractive manner to attract more buyers. They played a pivotal role by translating the information and bargaining about the rates of the products in the local language. Caritas Samaritans have always been people who work in a joint effort, in communities where people really experience difficulties of everyday life. Through this intervention too they reached out to support the farmers who lack the required visibility of their hard-earned products.  Caritas India’s volunteering program not just benefits the community they work with but also the individuals who contribute their time and skill towards any social cause. The Samaritan team from Silchar felt satisfied that they helped the farmers to sell their products. In addition, the volunteers shared that they gained knowledge regarding a new sector of agriculture, organic farming products. They were also able to improve their managerial, organizing and communication skills. Such continuous contributions by Caritas Samaritans helps to fulfill the enriching journey of transformation.