Port Blair, Oct 17: Along with the rest of the World, “WORLD FOOD DAY2016” was organised by ATMA South Andaman in association with the Department of Agriculture in Ferrargunj Community Hall on 16th October’2016. The theme for this year was “Climate is Changing- Food & Agriculture must too” The “WORLD FOOD DAY is organized to commemorate the founding of Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization.
Shri Sandeep Biswas, Pramukh Ferrargunj Panchayat Samiti was the chief guest on the occasion. He emphasized the farmers on value addition of agriculture produces especially Coconut and also urged to have complete ban on use of chemical pesticides. The Pramukh Ferrargunj Tehsil lauded the Department for organising more exposure visit programmes for better awareness.
Shri Anjan Kumar Das, Director of Agriculture explained the “Climate is Changing- Food & Agriculture must too” is the “Need of the hour”, and appealed the farmers to adopt the latest technology and innovations in accordance to the changes occurring in the climate and food habits for sustainable development and future.
Shri Nagesh Ram, Incharge Head & Principal scientist Krishi Vigyan Kendra, South Andaman explained in details about the changes occurring in agriculture due to climatic change. Shri. L.B. Singh, Sr. scientist quoted various examples of progressive farmers in South Andaman who adopted agriculture practices according to climate change. He lauded to bring zero hunger by the year 2030.
Shri R.Y. Singh, Jt. Director (Agri.), South Andaman spoke on the importance of organic farming and appealed the farmers to produce the organic inputs in the farm itself. He assured to extend all the possible assistance to the farmers and will organise exposure visit programmes for the farmers both inter Island and Inter State.
Earlier Dr. G.S. Pandey, Deputy Director (Agriculture Engineering) welcomed the Gathering and explained the importance of the day.
Shri. Navasakthi, Deputy Project Director briefed about the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. Which followed by interaction with farmers, wherein farmers raised various issues like maintenance of sluice gate, soil health card, extending loan facilities to farmers, timely supply of agriculture inputs, maintenance of ring well, etc. The issues were noted and the Director of Agriculture assured to look into all the matters.
The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by Shri. Ramesh Kumar, Deputy Project Director, ATMASouth Andaman. More than 90 farmers including PRI members and officials of Agriculture Department attended the programme.
