6KG organic fruits, veg from Kerala for Dh60
dubai — Organic fruits and vegetables harvested at farms in the south Indian state of Kerala are being delivered fresh to kitchens in the UAE the very next day, thanks to a community initiative. As part of the Naturebeatz initiative, about 6kg of farm-fresh, chemical-free fruits and vegetables are delivered to the homes of 600 families in Dubai and Sharjah every week.
Each kit is priced at Dh60. “Our aim is not to sell and make a profit, and even in the future, we don’t intend to ever retail these vegetables. It is to introduce more people to a natural, healthy and organic life- style,” said Praveen Kottavathil, founder of Naturebeatz. “Vegetables harvested in Kerala are delivered to homes in the UAE the very next day, completely eliminating the need for storage, fancy packaging, or retailing facilities.”
dubai — Brijesh Krishnan, a farming enthusiast based in Thrissur, harvested a fresh batch of 100 per cent organic pomelo fruit, commonly known in Kerala as “bumbli mass”, on Friday. A natural citrus fruit native to South and Southeast Asia and similar in appearance to a large grapefruit, pomelo is hard to find in Dubai supermarkets.
The very next day after Brijesh harvested the fruit, Merry Kurian and her family of four residing in Sharjah, were enjoying a selection of ripe and delicious ‘bumbli mass’ and a selection of several other delicious fruits and vegetables. “I’ve been having these vegetables and fruits for the last two months. I don’t miss out a single week and I’ve noticed a drastic change in the health of my kids and husband,” Merry told Khaleej Times.
Thanks to Krishnan, his associate Praveen Kottavathil and seven to eight organic farming enthusiasts, around 100 families in Dubai and Sharjah enjoy farm-fresh, organic fruits and vegetables every week. Launched by Kottavathil, Naturebeatz is a community-run initiative supplying farm-fresh fruits and veggies grown using sustainable practices in Kerala.
The initiative began with 60-100 families two years ago and today, a fast-growing network of 600 families are part of the entirely-community run initiative. An average of 100 families get a total of 5.5-6 kgs of vegetables and fruits each — or a ‘kit’ — every week. Each kit is priced at Dh60. “Our aim is not to sell and make a profit; even in the future, we don’t intend to ever retail these vegetables. It is to introduce more people to a natural, healthy, organic lifestyle,” he said.
“Vegetables harvested in Kerala are delivered to homes in the UAE the very next day, completely removing the need for storage, fancy packaging or retailing facilities,” added Kottavathil. “For example, this particular batch of sweet passion fruits, yams, and pineapples (pointing to a vegetable kit), were harvested and packed yesterday and we are giving it to families today,” said Vijeesh Gopinathan, a volunteer at Naturebeatz.
From farm to the kitchen, in a matter of hours
Naturebeatz grows the fruits and veggies on a five-acre farm at Mala,
Our aim is not to sell and make a profit; even in the future, we don’t intend to ever retail these vegetables. The idea is to introduce more people to a natural, healthy and organic lifestyle.” Praveen Kottavathil, founder, Naturebeatz
Thrissur, Kerala, and also procure them from 1,500 other farmers in Kerala. “We’ve fixed a price for each commodity. For example, the price for a kilo of tomato is 20 Indian rupees. Even if the market rate falls to 3 Indian rupees, we still pay the farmer 20 rupees,” said Kottavathil. The farmers don’t use any kind of harmful pesticides and the land is made fertile using only natural fertilisers such as cow dung.
“We have two consignments coming in from Kerala every few days,” said Kottavathil.