‘Krishi Kootam’ on Valentine’s Day means love for the soil in Oman

By Vinod Raghavan*

Muscat: February is known as the month of love and today, when the entire world is celebrating Valentine’s Day as lovers’ day,  a farmers’ group in Oman is celebrating the Organic Farm Lovers’ Day (Krishi Kootam).

Krishi Kootam‘s main aim is to encourage the natural way of farming, plantation and creating backyard kitchen gardens with love and tender care by nurturing fruit and vegetable seeds in the Sultanate of Oman.

Oman, located in the heart of the Middle East, despite its varied climate, has successfully used the pleasant weather from September to February as the best season for farming and plantations.

Drawing a large crowd in celebration of the spirit of organic farming and the hard work of the farming community, the festival offered a variety of activities, cultural programmes and awards aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and recognizing excellence in farming.

Anish Ravi, a Malayalam serial and film actor, participated in the celebrations at the spacious Gulf College Auditorium, Mabellah in Muscat Governorate. He praised the efforts of Oman Krishi Kootam in raising awareness about organic farming. He commended the dedication of farmers who pursue their passion for sustainable agriculture, even with their busy schedules.

Ravi highlighted the importance of organic practices and their positive impact on the environment and the community.

Krishi Kootam, which was formed in the year 2014 has over 6000 members, where they actively interact regularly on their WhatsApp and Facebook groups. In today’s event,  Anish Ravi also handed over awards to the regional winners in the Soil and Pot farming categories from Sohar, Buraimi, and Muscat.

The festival also featured fun games for children, including sack races, tug-of-war, and other interactive activities that kept young participants engaged and excited.

Additionally, cultural programmes performed by Oman Krishi Kootam members added to the lively atmosphere, with traditional dances choreographed by Teacher Arathi Hari and Teacher Vidya Priya, said Shyju Vettothil, Chairman of the group, who earlier, welcomed the guests and members.

The event was further energized by live music performances by ‘Team 7.30 PM BAND’, creating an unforgettable experience for attendees.

MA Muhammed Ashraf, who deals in food and spices, praised the outstanding achievements of the group and encouraged members to continue their efforts in creating a greener and more sustainable environment. The participants enjoyed the vibrant activities, cultural performances, and recognition of outstanding farmers dedicated to promoting organic farming practices.

*Senior journalist

Image by Patrick Fransoo from Pixabay