“Namdu” – a producers’ cooperative run and managed by farmers in Karnataka, India

In a move to strengthen food sovereignty and to promote rural self-sufficiency, Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) and the Amritabhoomi Agroecology School have set up “Namdu” – a producers’ cooperative making high-quality organic produce available at affordable prices to consumers.

Farmers from around 15 districts, who are involved in natural farming are a part of this effort. About 100 organic farmers have come under the umbrella for now. The movement will expand to rope in at least 5,000 farmers in each district.

The first Namdu (translates as ‘Ours’) store is now open at Krishika Samaj in Chamarajnagara, in South India. It was inaugurated on 2nd October in honour of Mahatma Gandhi, on his birth anniversary and to bring his idea of Gram Swaraj (Village Sovereignty) to practice.

“Farmers will sell their products directly to consumers through our brand, without the interference of middlemen, as is the concept of Gram Swaraj. The concept of Namdu was envisioned by our leader MD Nanjundaswamy and today we have taken a step to realise his dream,” said Honnur Prakash, Chamarajanagara district president of the KRRS.