How do we ensure ‘food security’ for urban areas during a pandemic? Strategic stocks of grains aren’t enough. No variety of nutrition. And disrupted supply chains prevent produce from reaching cities. Cities need a ‘ring’ of organic-hence self contained-farms around them. (1/5)

The @naandi_india foundation led by @manoj_naandi have built a proof-of-concept. The self contained (all inputs, labour, seeds, machines & tools) fully organic #UrbanFarmsCo has been supplying 25 varieties of fresh vegetable
even in these trying times. (2/5

What they’ve created is a self sufficient cluster of organic farms with farmer-entrepreneurs as spokes and #UrbanFarmsCo as the central resource hub.The Model converts local biomass into quality farm inputs, including regenerative soil infused with beneficial microbes (3/5)

Produce is bought & graded at central collection centres with high hygiene levels.
The fresh nutrient dense produce is sold to consumers in Delhi. They’re already at farmer level profitability & on course to cluster profitability. This is the future of Food System in Cities.(4/5)

This Delhi cluster’s supplied 13T of vegetables including 2T during lockdown! ‘Food security’ should in future include such clusters around cities. @Rockefellerfdn has shortlisted @naandi_india for the Global Vision Prize.Full disclosure: I serve as chair of @naandi_india (5/5)