The Hindu Business Line : Drive to `save' methods of rice cultivation

THE Thiruvananthapuram-based non-governmental organisation Thanal is spearheading a campaign to `save' rice in the rice-growing States of the country.

This year has been declared the `International Year of Rice' and the campaign is part of a global effort to involve local communities in this event, explained Mr C. Jayakumar, Coordinator, Thanal. Called `Save our rice', the movement attempts to bring together everyone interested in sustaining rice cultivation and the traditions associated with this practice, he added.

The initiative has four broad themes - sustaining rice, fighting genetically modified organisms, ensuring safe food and protecting community wisdom. It will attempt to generate public involvement in all parts of the country where rice is grown, said Mr Jayakumar.

States that will be covered by the campaign include Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, West Bengal, Orissa and Chhattisgarh.

As the first formal step in the campaign, Thanal in association with the Kerala branch of the Self Employed Women's Association and the Pesticide Action Network-Asia Pacific is organising a three-day workshop on `saving' rice at Kumbalangi village near Kochi, he said.

The workshop, which will begin on December 9, will focus on various topics related to rice and the traditions and practices associated with its cultivation, he added.

Some subjects that will be discussed during the workshop include rice and the rural economy, rice and culture, rice and women, rice and ecology, the threats facing the cultivation of rice and so on.

Many of those who will participate in the workshop have been working to sustain rice cultivation, preserve farmers' wisdom, ensure safe food and so on, Mr Jayakumar said.

More Stories on : Cultivation | Rice | Kerala

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Foodgrains sowing slips, oilseeds area up

Drive to `save' methods of rice cultivation

Banks fail to meet farm credit target

Cheaper fuel prices keep inflation rate static

Steady trend in rubber prices

Restructuring, price rise boost sugar stocks

Cotton Corpn agrees to pay transport bill in AP

Good potential for egg exports to Gulf