Exhibition on rice and seed starts in Kolkata

The two- day festival is being organised by a group of non-governmental organisations(NGO’s) with the aim of promoting conservation of indigenous crops and organic farming.

Anshuman Das, who is a member of the organisation, said, “We have lost thirty thousand varieties of rice which were available in India, currently we are successful in conserving less than three thousand varieties of rice, We have lost a very big asset of our country.”

“More than one eighty farmers from six different states of India have participated in this exhibition. All these farmers specializes in organic farming,” he said

“Our main aim is to conserve indigenous seeds, this type of exhibitions helps us to exchange ideas and knowledge on organic farming and above all we are trying to extend the market for our products,” said Saroj a member of an NGO in Orissa.

Apart from rice or paddy varieties, there are different vegetable seeds on display at the exhibition.

“Chhattisgarh Government have launched ‘Srividhi’ campaign, the main aim of this campaign is to promote organic farming. The government provides proper electricity, seeds at subsidised rates in our state. There are various societies where we can sell our products directly to the Government,” said Birendra Kumar, a social worker from Chhattisgarh.

Kamalakantha Kamar, a farmer by profession from Majuli Island in Assam, said, “Organic farming consumes much less time than other ways of farming. The products developed through organic farming are rich in taste and are good for health.”

The exhibition at the Seva Kendra in Entally will conclude on Sunday.

(Reporting by Adit Majumder)