Bhubaneswar: The World Kitchen Garden Day (WKGD) was observed at the State Quality Control Laboratory, organised by the Kitchen Gardeners’ Association (KGA) here Sunday.
The event highlighted the importance of organic and natural farming, as well as the growing need for chemical-free food. Distinguished guests at the event included National Human Rights Commission member Justice Bidyut Ranjan Sarangi, Padmashree Ashok Kumar Mohapatra, Padmashree Sabarmatee and Agriculture department additional secretary Shubhranshu Mishra.
Each of them addressed the gathering and stressed the urgent need to adopt sustainable agricultural practices.
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Mohapatra raised serious concerns over the excessive use of salt, spices, oil, and sugar in the diet, linking it to the rising incidence of diseases such as diabetes and heart-related issues, further warning that if these health issues are not addressed, the younger generation could face a crisis in the future.
Sharing her point at the event, Sabarmatee emphasised the relevance of organic and natural farming in today’s world and urged the youth to engage in the preservation and promotion of indigenous seeds.
She explained the significance of these seeds and called for their conservation as part of a broader movement towards sustainable agriculture.
Justice Sarangi also discussed the interconnection between human rights and agriculture, stressing the importance of ensuring healthy and nutritious food as a fundamental right.
Speaking at the event, Mishra called for more government support to bring such initiatives to the public’s attention.
As part of the celebration, the natural farming bulletin by KGA and a book titled ‘Krushi Sahityare Adipurusha Gangadhar’, co-authored by Chaudhury Barada Prasanna Das and Ekadashi Nandi, focusing on traditional agriculture and natural farming, was officially released.
Special sessions were held on indigenous seed preservation and beekeeping. Several individuals, practicing urban farming, shared their experiences and insights.
The programme was presided over by Archana Nayak and was coordinated by a team including Maheswar Khillar, Panchanan Kanungo, Ashok Das, Bhuban Mohan Pattnaik, Dushyant Das, and Ekadashi Nandi.
The event also featured exhibitions of locally produced food items by various organisations, showcasing a wide array of millets, saplings, fruits, honey, compost, and bio-fertilisers.
PNN
