BHUBANESWAR: Kitchen Gardener’s Association celebrated World Kitchen Garden Day at State Quality control Laboratory here Sunday.
The inaugural session was graced by P C Choubey, executive director, Indian Oil, as chief guest. A P Das, general manager, NABARD and A S Rajput, regional director, RCOF were the guests of honour.
B C Jena, chairman, Kitchen Garden’s Association, presided over the meeting. More than 600 kitchen gardeners, aspirants and state farmers attended the programme.
Interacting with Orissa Post, Maheswar Khillar, managing trustee, KGA, said, “In today’s world, which is full of pollution, its imperative that you grow your own food. Whatever time one spends watching TV or gossiping can be utilised in practicing terrace garden which will bear you vegetables and fruits. These home grown veggies and fruits will not only save you from various diseases but also help the ecology and environment.”
Various exhibition stalls were set up by Central Horticulture Experimentation Station, Central Tuber Crop Research Institute, Regional Centre for Organic Farming, Directorate of Horticulture (Medicinal) Ekamrabana, Millet Mission, Helpage India and Jeevan Rekha Parishad among others.
Smita Dalei, a regular participant, said, “People who don’t have acres of land can take up terrace gardening which is more economical compared to home interiors.”
Various models on harvesting of natural resources like solar energy, water harvesting, Kitchen Waste and dry leaf compost were also exhibited on the occasion.
It may be noted that the last Sunday of August is being observed as World Kitchen Garden Day for the last nine years. A farmer Sitaram Behuria said, “With little time and patience, one can achieve the unbelievable. The time has finally come when we should plant more trees to stop the world from being destroyed. Nature has its own balm for our every pain. All we have to do is to surrender before its driving forces.”
It may be noted that KGA has been promoting organic urban horticulture, roof top gardens and individual livelihood programme in rural areas through seminars, training, demonstrations, guidance and supply of planting materials.
