Ajam Emba - Reviving organic indigenous food in India

Support Aruna in her mission to preserve Indigenous culture, food, and cuisine through Ajam Emba –an Indigenous slow food eatery and training center to be based at Ranchi, Jharkhand (India). Ajam Emba aims to revive and popularize Indigenous cuisine, promote indigenous entrepreneurs and benefit indigenous organic farmers of Jharkhand.

Me and My Mission

Key Aims…. Revive and popularize local Indigenous food of Jharkhand as a means of healthy living amongst a cross-section of society and preserving Indigenous culture Bring in innovation in Indigenous food and cuisine for wider societal adoption Create a pool of Indigenous food entrepreneurs to sustain the mission Ensure fair returns to Indigenous farmers and forest produce collectors

I am Aruna Tirkey, rural development professional, a food specialist with the Bhoomika Safe Food Campaign, and alumnus of Xavier Institute of Social Service, Ranchi.  I am also a homemaker and a passionate connoisseur of Indigenous food and cuisine. In my Kudukh language[1], Ajam Emba means great tasting and healthy food. The Indigenous food system in Jharkhand is a form of slow food traditionally cooked and based on the use of locally available organic produce. It is one of the first Indigenous food initiatives of its kind, and your help is critical in moving forward my mission.
 

Accomplishments so far…….   Set up a team of 15 women from Indigenous poor communities to work on food production Catered to more than 5000 persons in the last two years Won several food competitions, food stalls in exhibitions, fairs, food demonstration in schools and order-based supply to government and non-government agencies and private functions Food specialist with the Bhoomika Safe Food Campaign launched by Centre for World Solidarity, a non-profit initiative

 
The advent of fast food culture has taken a toll on the health of Indigenous communities, especially younger generations. My work as a rural development professional has exposed me to the growing disintegration of Indigenous food and culture especially in urban settings and amongst Indigenous youth. Basic Indigenous food needs to evolve in order to increase its wider uptake in our changing society -  without losing its key properties. Ajam Emba, does just that. Ajam Emba is more than a singular Indigenous restaurant, it’s a broad-scale initiative that increases the public’s awareness and access to Indigenous food through participation in food competitions, exhibitions, fairs and by providing Indigenous food in events and meetings organized by government and non-government agencies. Since the start of my Ajam Emba three years ago, it has gained popularity amongst masses and there has been growing demand for Indigenous food and the need for sustained initiatives in this regard. In the past two years, I have catered to more than 5000 persons.   We need to increase the capacity of Ajam Emba in order to reach further into our communities and become a permanent sustainable resource for Indigenous food.  Help Ajam Emba create an eatery and training centre to serve Indigenous food cooked in the most authentic, traditional and healthy way. I have already set up a team of 15 Indigenous women engaged in food production to help cater to orders from individual households in our region. In addition to spreading healthful eating and Indigenous culture, Ajam Emba intends to create a measurable difference in the lives of individual people by employing them and fostering Indigenous food entrepreneurs.
 
How you can help:

 Ajam Emba will need an additional INR 520000 (Around USD 7550) to fully set up the eatery and training center. The detailed budget break-up is as follows:
 

Particulars	Amount
Start-up Expenses
Logo and trademark registration	15000
Lease deposit (Security)	200000*
Outdoor Signboard	10000
Building renovation	50000*
Working Capital	100000
Contingency	25000
Advertising/ promotional expenses	20000
Total	420000
Start -up Assets
Interior décor	25000
Cooler	25000
Traditional food processing equipment	10000
Kitchen small wares	20000
Cooking range (traditional and gas based)	30000
40 chair/stools and 10 table (traditional style)	110000
Stainless steel hood with exhaust	10000
Generator	40000
Fridge	25000
Deep Fridge	20000
Cooking Utensils	20000
Tablecloths/ napkins	10000
Fireproof Safe	5000
Total	350000
Grand Total	770000

 
 * My contribution

As a token of our thanks: 
 

• All donors would be given a traditional Indigenous memento.
• Any donor contributing Rs.5000 (USD 100) or more would be given a personalized memento.
• Any donor contributing Rs.25000 (USD 500) or more would be given a personalized memento and have their names engraved on a plaque and displayed at the eatery.

 
   [1] Language spoken by Oraon Indigenous groups found in the Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh