Port Blair, Oct 19: “World Food Day” is celebrated every year throughout the world on 16th October on the day of foundation day of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. The theme for this year is “Climate is changing: Food and Agriculture must too”. To mark the occasion a programme was organized by the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Fisheries and Industries, Diglipur in association with Union Territory Agricultural Technology Management Agency (UTATMA) in the Panchayat hall, Ramnagar on Monday. Mr A.K.Trivedi, Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
In his address, Mr A.K. Trivedi, Assistant Commissioner, Diglipur in his address stated that as our island is flourished with diverse resources and we need to protect it for our future generations. He further stated that all the Departments of the Administration are always ready to extend all support to the farmers therefore they should come forward to take the benefit of various schemes. Since the land is limiting day by day therefore he urged the farmers to utilize the maximum potentiality of these resources for sustainable livelihood and to fetch higher returns. He further emphasized to maintain the soil fertility by application of locally available organic rich fertilizer so as to reduce the risk of climate change gradually.
Dr. Subash B. Palve, Senior Veterinary Officer, Kalighat emphasized on the departmental schemes like pig rearing, cattle farming, poultry, piggery, goatery. And further emphasized to promote local breeds and its quality improvement. Smt V. Sheeja, Assistant Fisheries Development Officer, Diglipur highlighted on healthy food by adopting organic farming and also stated that the pollution leads to rise in temperature which resulted in global warming and ultimately affects aquatic flora and fauna. Mr Swapan Mallick, Incharge Industries Promotion Officer explained in detail about the post harvest aspects with respect to climate change. Mr Swapan Biswas, Pradhan, Ramnagar gram panchayat graced the occasion and expressed his heartfelt thanks to all the Departments and encouraged the farmers of Ramnagar to adopt organic farming and depict Ramnagar as Adarsh gram in true sense.
Welcoming the gathering, Smt Sreedevi, Assistant Director (Agri), Diglipur dwelt at length about the importance of ‘World Food Day’. She elaborated the theme for this year “Climate is changing: Food and Agriculture must too”, and has emphasized the farmers role in climate change. The climate change will affect agriculture, fisheries and livestock due to various changes or fluctuations in weather parameters such as excessive/untimely rainfall or drought/dry spell increase or decrease in temperature which may lead to reduction of yield, resurgence or emergence of new pest & diseases and weeds. To address the issue, sustainable agriculture practices to be adopted. The department is promoting for organic cultivation under PKVY scheme with special emphasis at Adarsh gram at Ramnagar. To end hunger, we need to waste less food by changing out daily habits and making certain changes in our lifestyle.
A quiz competition for the farmers was organized related to agriculture and allied departments for which prize money was distributed to the winners. Altogether 120 farmers, PRIs and departmental staff actively participated. The programme concluded with vote of thanks proposed by Mr S. Prasanth, Agriculture Assistant.
