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Annaswaraj - Seminar on Food Rights and Food Sovereignty
Date : 30th May 2007
Venue : Y.M.C.A. Hall, Thiruvananthapuram
Organized by
Centre For Innovation In Science And Social Action (CISSA), Thiruvananthapuram
Navadhanya, New Delhi
The Environment Collaborative, Alappuzha
LEAD India, New Delhi &
Institute for Societal Development, Thiruvananthapuram
Report As an initiative to
carry forward Anna Swaraj Movement in the State, a state level
seminar on food rights and food sovereignty was organized
jointly by Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action
(CISSA) - Thiruvananthapuram, Navadhanya - New Delhi, The
Environment Collaborative- Alappuzha, LEAD India- New Delhi, and
Institute for Societal Development- Thiruvananthapuram on 30 May
2007 10.AM at Y.M.C.A Hall, Thiruvananthapuram. Noted
environmentalist Dr. Vandana Siva inaugurated the programme.
About 200 participants comprising of farmers, Academicians, Non
Governmental Organizations, Environmentalists and students from
all over the State attended. Dr.
Vandana stressed the deleterious role of genetically modified
foods and its implications on our health and ecosystem. She has
urged the Kerala Biodiversity Board to prevent the introduction
of palm oil as a solution to the agrarian crisis in Wayanad
district. She added that the arrival of multinational retails
chains could adversely affect food sovereignty, with small-scale
traders forced to shut shops. She stressed the need for
introducing nutritional classes in school as part of the school
curriculum. Dr. Vandana requested the Chief Minister of Kerala
to declare Kerala as an organic State.
Dr. V.S. Vijayan, Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board
presided over the function.
Shri Sabu, Secretary of Centre for Innovation in Science and
Social Action (CISSA), Thiruvananthapuram proposed vote of
thanks. Technical Session
Dr. P. Pushpangadan, former Director of National Botanical
Garden, Lucknow and Research Director of Amity International,
Thiruvananthapuram delivered a lecture on Traditional Food
Habits and Health Management.
Smt. Sugathakumari, former Chairperson of State Women’s
Commission, noted poetess and environmentalists discussed the
cultural ethics and changing food habits.
Dr. C.R. Soman of Health Action by People, Thiruvananthapuram
presented a paper on the challenges posed by new food culture.
Dr. C. A. Jayaprakash of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute
delivered a lecture on pesticide contents in food. Sri Ajith
Venniyoor, Fellow Lead India proposed vote of thanks.
Valedictory Function
Shri V.S. Achuthanandan, Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala
was the Chief Guest in the valedictory function .The Minister
assured that his Government will bring a new law against the
reclamation of paddy fields. He also said that ‘GALASA’ project
introduced by Agricultural scientists will be implemented soon
to encourage farmers and to bring them back to paddy
cultivation. Follow up actions
The Anna Swaraj campaign is proposed to be implemented in
all the 14 districts of Kerala as a community movement committed
for food rights and food sovereignty. Besides striving for food
rights and food sovereignty, this movement will also try to
popularize traditional food and crops and work for the Gandhian
concept of self sufficient villages with respect to food. .The
overwhelming response to its concept has had the forum members
thinking on this line.
A massive awareness programme and action projects at village
level is being planned with an idea of developing a network at
local level that would work for food freedom and sovereignty. |
