Week of Rice Action 2007 Kicks off in Karnataka, India
Category: Campaign NewsProgramme launched at Belthangady Taluk in Karnataka:
Mithabagilu Village declared GM Free; Seed Savers honoured
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27th March 2007 - Belthangady, Karnataka - The Week of Rice Action (WORA) 2007 was launched amidst much excitement and joy, with traditional songs and dance in the Mithabagilu Village of Belthangady Taluk, at the foot of the Western Ghats in Karnataka yesterday.
Farmers from two districts came together in this village to celebrate rice culture and share their experiences in conserving rice seeds. The programme was jointly organised by Nagarika Seva Trust-Karnataka, Thanal-Kerala and Mithabagilu Grama Panchayath, to raise awareness about the importance of rice and rice culture among the people and decision makers.
Usha S. from Thanal introduced the celebrations and said: “This programme is being organized in 13 countries all over Asia to highlight the importance of rice culture to Asia and to take action to protect this culture from threats especially from genetically engineered rice varieties and hybrid rice.”
The celebrations were then inaugurated with the traditional rice ritual accompanied with the call of “Poli Poliyo” (prayer for prosperity) by Sri K Sundar Salian, President of the Agriculture and Industries Standing Committee of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla (District) Panchayath. Also present were Sri Nammalvar, a farmer-scientist and leader of the Tamil Nadu Organic Agriculturist Movement, Prof B M Kumaraswamy an economist, Sri Somanath Nayak (NST), Sri Krishna Prasad (Sahaja Samrudha-Karnataka), Smt Kusumavathi (President, Mithabagilu Grama Panchayath), Sri Lakshmeesha Tholpady(Barathiya Kissan Sangh) and other dignitaries from the Panchayaths, Krishikare Vedike, Mahila Jagruthi Vedike, Parisara Okkoota and Agriculture Department officials.
Sri Nammalvar spoke about the spread of the organic farming movement in Tamil Nadu and how this change in agricultural practice was helping the farmers there.
Sri B K Deva Rao a seed saver from the Mithabagilu Village and his family were awarded The Week of Rice Action 2007 Citation for their efforts in conserving 52 varieties of traditional paddy seed varieties for the last 10 years. Another 15 organic farmers, seed savers and Seed Bank heads from several other villages in the two districts were also honoured for their selfless work in protecting and conserving the traditional varieties of seeds and the local knowledge.
A booklet on “Biotechnology – Engineered Hunger” by Prof B M Kumaraswamy, translated to the local language was also released at the function by Sri Sundara Salian.
Three sessions followed the inaugural function. Prof Kumaraswamy spoke about the unethical science behind biotechnology and GM seeds. Sri Nammalvar spoke about rice culture in India and how it was threatened by the green revolution and introduction of high input varieties. Sri Krishna Prasad shared the experience of seed conservation in Karnataka and the importance of it in conserving traditional varieties and knowledge.
After the sessions, the village of Mithabagilu was declared GM Free by Sri K Sundara Salian and Prof Kumaraswamy read out the oath to the villagers.
The participants signed the “People’s Statement on protecting Rice in Asia”. An exhibition of traditional paddy seeds was organized at the same time. Women from the village prepared a variety of traditional and highly nutritious dishes for the participants.
The programme ended with songs and traditional dance, showcasing the culture and history of the people in the region.
The Week of Rice Action (WORA) 2007 brings together farmers, rural communities, and other sectors of society to celebrate and protect rice culture. To be officially launched on March 13 in Bangladesh, the main WORA events will take place in 13 countries across Asia from March 29 to April 4. Culminating in India and the Philippines, WORA will be an unprecedented mobilization of Asians “Celebrating and Protecting Rice Culture”! A key feature of WORA will be its one-million signature campaign calling on policy-makers to take immediate steps to save the rice of Asia.
WORA is organised by Pesticide Action Network Asia and the Pacific (PAN AP) and its partner organisations in thirteen countries in the region. Anyone interested in being a part of WORA 2007 can log on to the WORA page at www.panap.net
By Usha S and Sridhar R
RSS
