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ORGANIC FARMING FESTIVAL AT CHENGALPET

A large number of women farmers participated in the festival.

CIKS organised an organic farmers' meet on 26th February at the M.V. Rangamahal Kalyana Mandapam in CHengalpet. The response to the festival was overwhelming, with over a 1000 farmers who work with us in three districts participating.

Mr.R.Venkatesan IAS, the district collector of Kanchipuram was the guest of honour. Mr.T.Swaminathan, AGM, NABARD, Mr.H.Kadhar, Joint Director of Agriculture, Kanchipuram, Mr.P.Velusami, Programme Officer, District Rural Development Authority, were the other guests who attended.

The welcome address by Mr.A.V.Balasubramanian, Director CIKS, was followed by a short presentation on the organisation's activities by Dr.K.Vijayalakshmi, Research Director, CIKS.

Three beneficiaries from organic farmers' sangams in different villages shared their experiences - Mr.Gunasekaran from Alavai, Mrs.Rameswari from Elumichampattu and Mr.Rukuran from Puducheri. They highlighted how they benefitted from CIKS programmes.

Farming implements like sprayers and tarpaulin sheets were distributed to farmers' sangams on the occassion.

The exhibition stalls highlighting CIKS activities generated a lot of interest.

Mr.P.Velusami spoke on the role played by farmers in the protection of the environment. The vote of thanks was proposed by Mr.S.Arumugasamy, Programme coordinator, CIKS.

There was an exhibition at the venue where stalls highlighting various aspects of CIKS were set up. There were displays on organic farming techniques, biopesticide preparation and use, non-chemical pest control strategies, composting techniques etc. One stall displayed samples of traditional seed varieties conserved by CIKS. Audio-Visuals produced by CIKS were also screened.

There was an 'Arogyam' stall where a variety of delicious dishes prepared from organic produce were distributed to visitor.

The tremendous response to the festival from the community was encouraging - the large number of participants made for a colourful, festive spirit. A major positive was the high percentage (about 45%) of women farmers in the gathering.

We consider the success of the festival as an indicator of the growing acceptance of organic agriculture as the way to ensuring livelihood security. In the coming months, we hope to organise more such events that will promote understanding and knowledge sharing among the farmers in the region.

The large number of participants made for a colourful and festive atmosphere .		Farming implements were distributed to farmers' sangams..