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Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Organic farming focal theme of science congress

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The second Children's Agricultural Science Congress will commence at Public Library Hall in the city on January 28. Around 350 students from schools across the State are expected to participate in the two-day event jointly organised by Agri Friends Krishi Samskarika Vedi, Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) and Indian Agricultural Association.

Students will share their farming and farm learning experiences and interact with farmers and agricultural experts at the event. Participating students will present research projects on local agriculture practices, school-level farming and ‘My farming experiences.'

The focal theme of the Children's Agricultural Congress is organic farming. Possibilities of organic farming, organic waste management, natural resource conservation, climate change and homestead farming are some of the sub-themes.

“The whole idea of this event is to bring our future generation closer to agriculture and thus closer to nature. The event will give students a platform to share their experiences in practising farming in their school or home, and encourage them to take up scientific studies on agriculture and thus build up their interest in farming,” said Agri Friends project coordinator S. Jayakumar.

Apart from the paper presentation competition, the second edition of the Children's Agricultural Congress will also feature competitions on poster exhibition, photo exhibition and agriculture exhibition in which students can exhibit and sell their farm produces. The event is open to upper primary, high school and higher secondary students. Competitions will be conducted in two categories — for students from Class V to XIII and Class IX to XII.

“The agriculture expo being held in connection with the Children's Agricultural Congress will include display of farming tools, forest soil collected by students, locally made organic manure, etc. Different varieties of locally produced indigenous vegetables and demonstration of new, eco-friendly techniques of farming by farmers will also be held,” Mr. Jayakumar said. He added that apart from schools students, children under the aegis of local farm clubs like the Thachankode Krishi Padom Club and Ulloor Krishi Padom Club will also participate in the Congress.

While the paper presentation competition will be held on the second day, the first day of the event will feature a series of classes and talks by farmers and agriculture experts, including the former director of Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) S. Edison and the former director of Agriculture Department R. Hali. Agriculture Department secretary A. Jayathilak; Director G. Surendran; State Horticulture Mission Director K. Prathapan; the former Chief Secretary Lissie Jacob; and the former DPI Lida Jacob are expected to participate.

Ahead of the event, students will felicitate Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran at a function to be held on January 20. Last date for free registration to the Congress has been extended to January 20.

Source: The Hindu, 17-01-2011



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