World Food Day Celebration 2024
Nagercoil
On the eve of World Food Day, CREATE, in association with APPTA (Agriculture Producer Products and Traders Association), Nagercoil, and the Nagercoil Women Consumers’ Association, jointly organized a workshop for consumers and farmers. More than 150 participants from in and around Nagercoil attended the event.
Mr. R. Ponnambalam, Managing Trustee of CREATE, welcomed the gathering and recalled the various activities of CREATE over the years, highlighting the efforts in retrieving traditional rice varieties through the Save Our Rice Campaign, conserving those varieties through farmers, and promoting their consumption. The event focused on creating awareness among people about the importance of safe and nutritious food.
Prof. Dr. Duraisingam discussed CREATE’s recent institutional collaborations with reputed academic and research institutions, aiming to highlight the nutritional elements in traditional rice varieties and encourage their inclusion in daily diets. He noted CREATE’s ongoing efforts to organize workshops for consumer influencers across Tamil Nadu, with the goal of influencing state procurement policies. Dr. Duraisingam advocated for the immediate withdrawal of fortified rice programs, highlighting the availability of safer, affordable alternatives, such as traditional rice and local greens, for addressing iron deficiencies and providing balanced nutrition.
Dr. Sathya, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical and Biotechnology, shared her research on 10 traditional paddy varieties,
pointing out the presence of phytochemicals in certain pigmented (black and brown) rice varieties like Sandikaar, Kullakkar, Kattuyanam, and Mappillai Samba, which help control blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Her research on non-pigmented (white) varieties like Aththur Kitchali Samba also revealed the presence of intermediate Amylopectin with a low glycemic index, making it beneficial for diabetics. She emphasized the health benefits of consuming hand-pounded traditional rice varieties, made easier with technologies like rubber shellers. Dr. Sathya recommended consuming Black Kouni once a week, especially for post-menopausal women, to strengthen bones.
Mr. Sridhar Radhakrishnan, Steering Committee member of ASHA (Alliance for Sustainable and Holistic Agriculture), appreciated the
ongoing research on traditional rice varieties in academic and research institutions and emphasized the need to expand such studies to include more varieties.
As an advisory member of the global Agro Ecology Fund, he shared inspiring examples from Africa and Asia, where communities are reviving their agricultural heritage by reintroducing local livestock breeds, such as camels and horses, which are integral to their farming traditions. Sridhar also discussed the African Food Sovereignty Alliance’s “Our Food is African” campaign, encouraging a similar collective effort in Tamil Nadu to promote Tamil food culture.
Dr. E. Vidhubala, President of Hanuman River and FED Farmer’s Producer Company, highlighted the need for proper water management in Nagercoil District. She stressed the importance of conserving water bodies and reservoirs to meet domestic needs and support agricultural lands. Dr. Vidhubala noted the lack of storage facilities for harvested grains, particularly during the rainy season, and called for collective action to address these issues. She recommended using modern technologies to assess and manage local water systems.
Prof. Dr. Peer Mohamed, former chairman of FEDCOT, Dr. Vallivelu, and Mr. Sriram of the Nagercoil Consumer Association also spoke on the importance of consumer involvement in addressing environmental challenges, developing collective solutions, and fostering shared responsibility.
During the event, five individuals were honored for their contributions to agriculture, marketing, and environmental conservation. Mr. Sridhar Radhakrishnan of ASHA’s Steering Committee and Mrs. Usha Kumari of Thanal NGO were recognized by APPTA for their work in environmental conservation and traditional rice preservation. On behalf of CREATE’s Save Our Rice Campaign, Mr. Gowthaman of Varaprasadam Organic Shop received an award for over two decades of organic marketing in Nagercoil. Mr. Venkatesan, Superintendent of the Thirumangalam Regulatory Marketing Centre, was honored for his innovative support for farmers in marketing their products, and Prof. Sudhamathy, a professor and organic farmer, was celebrated for her exceptional work in nature and environmental conservation.
Several mainstream media representatives attended the event, interviewing the organizers about the workshop’s objectives and the group’s appeals to the state government. Mr. Suresh Kanna, Project Director, facilitated the event, and Dr. Swarnalatha, President of the Nagercoil Women Consumers Welfare Association, delivered the vote of thanks.