The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Mela promotes organic rice varieties

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Sunday, Mar 20, 2011
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Mela promotes organic rice varieties

Staff Reporter

— Photo: S. Thanthoni

CREATING AWARENESS: A skit being performed at the organic mela at Semmozhi Poonga in Chennai on Saturday.

CHENNAI: Thangasamba, Kichilisamba, Karunkuruvai, Ottadai, Neelamsamba, Kuruvaikalanjiyam, Kudaivalai were some of the indigenous rice varieties of Tamil Nadu exhibited at the organic mela, organised by Safe Food Alliance here on Saturday.

“A farmer participating in the campaign collected 130 varieties of such rice. There is a need to create awareness among consumers,” said Ananthoo, coordinator of Safe Food Alliance.

Traditional seeds developed by Indian farmers are naturally pest resistant, nutritious and suited to local conditions, he added.

Reckless use of chemical fertilizers for farming non-native varieties or genetic modification without safety protocols will affect agriculture, said Sultan Ahmed Ismail, head of biotechnology department, The New College.

“A large number of farmers who supply food grains to urban areas have no awareness of the problems caused to consumers because of pesticides. So the demand for organic food has to come from consumers in cities,” said R.Selvam, a farmer from Erode district who participated in the exhibition, at Semmozhi Poonga on Cathedral Road. “Knowledge about pesticides among farmers is minimal but the use is high,” he said and cited the use of Endosulfan by many farmers. The insecticide has been found to be one of the most widespread pollutants.

“The organic mela in Chennai also kick-starts a campaign across the State to promote sustainable agriculture. We urge all political parties to clearly state their stand on sensitive issues such as genetically modified food crops,” said G.Sivaraman, of Poovulagin Nanbargal.

The campaign stressed the need for the government to not permit GM maize trial in the State on behalf of multinational companies.

Student participants staged skits to create awareness on sustainable agriculture.

“Instead of learning from books, the students gain understanding by working towards conservation of the environment,” said K.Sundari, head of PR department, Stella Maris College.

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