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recommendations
- Centre for Innovation in
Science and Social Action (CISSA) and the organisations
supported and participated in the five-day “Annam National Food
and Agro-biodiversity Festival” declare: That the permeation of
junk food and processed food into the market systems of India,
through the well organised corporate networks, resulted not only
in severe health implications in the local population, but also
has started affecting the availability of traditional and local
food.
- That the food security of the country will be at stake in the
immediate future as a result of corporatisation of agriculture
and food sector.
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That there is a greater need to popularise the importance of
good food and food security based on local agro-biodiversity,
and organise the people and communities across India to carry
the message forward.
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That there is an urgent need for focusing on our highly diverse
agro-biodiversity, especially the lesser known food crops, in
order for achieving sustainable food production and nutritional
security.
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That biodiversity should be integrated into all developmental
plans and biodiversity conservation should be highlighted in
poverty alleviation programmes as food and nutritional security
can only be achieved through conservation of biodiversity. The
quality of food, and not just its quantity, ought to guide our
agriculture.
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That the government subsidies and tax relaxation given to junk
food and carbonated soft drinks and pesticides and other harmful
agro-chemicals should be stopped immediately so as to make the
food safe and traditional food cheaper.
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That the advertisements that spread wrong and spurious messages
about the positive contributions of fast food and carbonated
soft drinks should be banned and the sale of these items should
be banned in educational institutions, considering several
scientific studies on the serious health impacts of junk food
and carbonated soft drinks in children.
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That food and agriculture should become part of the syllabus in
all stages of education and there should be specific training
and action plans on agriculture at educational institutions.
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That frequent scientific studies should be undertaken both in
private and public sector on the health implications of junk
food and carbonated soft drinks.
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That a series of good food restaurants should be established
across India for making quality food available to everyone.
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That the Research & Development institutions in India should
take initiatives to do research on improving the quality of
Indian food and it's processing.
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That the lesser known food crops of the country should be fully
utilised to achieve food security and food processing and
storage facilities as well as community seed banks should be
established at local levels. The role of managing these
facilities should rest with the local self help groups.
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That there should also be proper documentation of traditional
knowledge systems related to agriculture and local food items in
order to preserve their identify and for popularising the same.
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That there should be specific action plans for conserving the
rich agro-biodiversity of the country and the government should
publish a white paper on the status of agro-biodiversity of the
country.
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The central and state governments should formulate an organic
farming policy and action plans to phase out unsustainable
agriculture practices.
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That genetically modified crops and genetically modified food
should be totally banned in India as a precaution against their
harmful effects on environment and health.
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That biodiversity conservation should be integrated in all
development planning and policy formulations and in all poverty
alleviation schemes.
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That Food and Agro-biodiversity festivals should be organised at
every village in order to spread the message of importance of
local food and agro-biodiversity.
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That the unused government land should be maximally utilized for
enhancing agriculture production.
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