Sabala Bhojanala Panduga was held at Simhachalam Goshala in Visakhapatnam from 1st to 5th April. | Photo credit: Paul Nicodemus
The second edition of Sabala Bhojanal Panduga, a community-led food festival focusing on natural farming and sustainable living, was held from April 1 to 5 at Simhachalam Goshala in Visakhapatnam, attracting an estimated 50,000 visitors over five days.
Sabala Bhojanala Panduga was held at Simhachalam Goshala in Visakhapatnam from 1st to 5th April. | Photo credit: Paul Nicodemus
Launched in 2024 by Vijay Ram, a proponent of natural farming and organic food systems, the festival draws inspiration from farmer Subhash Palekar. Farmers from Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts were at the center of the initiative, which aims to raise awareness and address misconceptions about traditional food practices.
Sabala Bhojanala Panduga was held at Simhachalam Goshala in Visakhapatnam from 1st to 5th April. | Photo credit: Paul Nicodemus
Many people assume that natural foods are difficult to cook or unavailable, a hesitation that has negatively affected farmers who have switched to organic methods, said Chalapathi Rao, a member of the organizing team. He added that the festival was conceived to bridge this gap and promote a direct connection between farmers and consumers.
Sabala Bhojanala Panduga was held at Simhachalam Goshala in Visakhapatnam from 1st to 5th April. | Photo credit: Paul Nicodemus
During the festival, a variety of dishes prepared from home-grown ingredients, including millet, grains, lentils and vegetables, were served. Organizers said more than 50 types of traditional seeds and rice were featured on the menu, with different preparations being introduced each day. Food was served free of charge and visitors were encouraged to make a voluntary donation.
Visitors said the festival offered both culinary and educational value. Dabbada Aswini, an employee of the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation’s engineering department, said they came to know about the festival through social media and recommendations from friends abroad, adding that it was their first visit and a very good experience. Pidintla Pravallika, who works in the home department, said the session provided valuable insights into organic salt, its preparation, benefits and methods of home production, noting that the explanations were clear and engaging.
Farmers set up around 30 stalls to sell natural and organic products. Seed conservation was the key topic and experts from Maharashtra and Telangana participated in the discussions. Organizers stressed the importance of farmers saving and regenerating seeds after each crop cycle instead of buying them repeatedly.
The festival also featured demonstrations of sustainable living practices, including the production of bamboo, palm leaf bedding and pottery, along with indigenous health care systems such as Ayurveda, Siddha and Homeopathy. Native breeds of cattle were on display, and folk performances from three districts added a cultural dimension.
Organizers said the initiative aims to strengthen local food systems while encouraging farmers to adopt sustainable practices.
Published – 05 Apr 2026 22:56 IST
