Farmers are Backbone of World Food System – remembered in International Symposium
World Food Day dedicated to raising awareness and taking action to address one of humanity's most pressing issues: food security. It is not only about to celebrate the progress made in ensuring that people around the world have access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food, but also to confront the challenges that still lie ahead.
World Food Day is more than just a commemoration; it is a call to action, a reminder of our shared responsibility to ensure that no one goes hungry.
Global Centre for Youth Development of Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development has organized an International Symposium in Online Mode on the occasion of World Food Day, i.e. on 16th of October, 2024. This event was jointly organized with the St. Xavier’s College (An Autonomous College of Ranchi University), Ranchi, Jharkhand.
The symposium was organized under the guidance of the Chief Patron, Dr. Jayanta Choudhury who is the Founder and Secretary General of GFSRD, with the blessings of the Joint Patron, Father Dr. Nabor Lakra, S.J. the Principal of St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi and the GFSRD Chairman of Jharkhand Chapter, Dr. Ajay Kumar Srivastava, an Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Botany, St. Xavier’s College, Ranchi.
Dignitaries and guests from different states of India and abroad shared their views on different aspects of food.
In the beginning, Dr. Choudhury mentioned that the fight against hunger is not only about producing more food; it is about sustainable food systems, equitable access, and ensuring that the resources we have are used wisely.
It is about transforming our agricultural practices to be more resilient in the face of climate change, promoting sustainable water management, and embracing innovation to create a food system that works for everyone.
Dr. Bhavana Patnayakuni, a Senior Scientist was invited as the Chairperson. Two Resource Persons, one Dr. Jeyabalan Sangeetha from Kerela spoke on “Impact of Microplastics on Sea Food” and Dr. Madhumala Y. from Karnataka was another Resource Person.
Himadrija Singh, Normative Economist, Director of Farmers Producers Organisations and Member & Researcher of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) spoke on “Nourishing the Soul: Exploring Food Sustainability, Security, and Spirituality fostering a deeper connection between food, nature, and the divine”.
Dr. S. Geethanjali, an Assistant Professor from Tamil Nadu spoke on “Therapeutic values of South Indian spices”.
Dr. Meenu Sharma from Assam spoke on “Sustainable Rural Development Schemes and programmes for food security in India”.
In the middle of the symposium, Dr. Ajay Kumar Srivastava announced the Winners of an International Photography Competition which was recently organized on the occasion of World Wildlife Week (3rd – 7th October, 2024).
Badal Parma, an Under Graduation Student from Gujarat won the competition and Ranked 1. Dr. Rahul Dev Mukherjee from West Bengal Ranked 2 and Dr. Ramchandra Suthar from Gujarat Ranked 3.
Foreign delegate, Chief Guest Dr. Sergio Ricardo Quiroga from Argentina was invited. Special Guest, Marjohn V. Anislag, an Associate Professor from Philippines spoke on “Agroforestry to Food Sustainability and Environmental Resilience”.
Guest of Honor, Ex-Vice Chancellor of Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, West Bengal, Professor Dr. Madan Mohan Adhikary addressed the audience in the very beginning on “Sustainable Growth in Food and Agriculture”.
Other Guest Speakers, Dr. B. Gangathraprabhu from Tamil Nadu, Dr. P. S. Thakur from Himachal Pradesh and Dr. Khushboo Jain from Rajasthan were also invited and given a wonderful talk.
Most of the speakers remind India’s Commitment to Food Security: National Food Security Act, 2013, Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, PM POSHAN Scheme, Antyodaya Anna Yojana, Rice Fortification and Price Stabilisation Fund (PSF) to manage price volatility of essential commodities.
At the end, Dr. J. Sangeetha requested to avoid one-time-use plastics materials and reduce usage of plastics wherever possible to help our mother earth to recover from present stress to have a healthy life.
Most of the aspects were scientific and participants really enjoyed the program. The entire program was houseful and lead to a grand success.
In this event, Saratsuvra Pyne, the Deputy Director of GFSRD – Global Centre for Youth Development has been the Organizing Chairman, Ms. Smita Peter Rakshit, a Research Scholar from Maharashtra has been the Organizing Secretary, Nitika as Assistant Organizing Secretary and Ruchika as Executive Co-ordinator of the Organizing Committee.
There were few other organizing staff members, Preeti, Riya, Akasmika, etc.
All the speakers of the symposium emphasis that together have the power to build a future without hunger, where everyone has the chance to thrive, and where our food systems are resilient, just, and sustainable.
The road ahead may be long, but with determination and unity can make a world of difference.
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