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Background and rationale:
World is witnessing an unprecedented food crisis. A global
food debate is on. Several studies have been undertaken to
identify the causes of the problem. Climate change, biofuels,
crop losses and even the consumption pattern of Indian
middle class is under scrutiny. But there are very few
discussions about the fundamental issues gripping the food
producing sector.
The IAASTD (www.agassessment.org)
report released in April 2008 prepared by over 400
scientists from across the globe clearly stated that
business as usual scenario in Agriculture won’t help. The
report says that the present agricultural practices have
degraded the natural resource base and if we have to avoid
an imminent food crisis, proactive steps are needed to shift
to a more eco-friendly mode of farming.
Government of India endorsed this report but no serious
debates were initiated based on the findings.
This seminar is an attempt to bring together scientific
wisdom and practical knowledge to analyze the agriculture
situation in the country in the light of food crisis and the
findings of IAASTD. There is also a need to provoke
discussion about the positive potentials of agro-ecological
modes of farming being practiced successfully in different
parts of the country.
The Concept:
This Seminar will seek to identify sustainable solutions to
food crisis. Leaders of thought, scientists, development
practitioners, media professionals and farmers will share
scientific knowledge, development experiences, and
innovative ideas to illuminate opportunities for a
sustainable future in Agriculture.
The Seminar is divided into three sessions, each session
discussing a particular theme. The themes are:
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Food crisis and Indian Agricultural
Scenario
This session will discuss the food crisis and the
general agriculture situation in the country.
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Agriculture, Environmental
degradation and Food security
This session will analyze agricultural practices and
resource degradation in the country with an objective to
find suitable solutions for ensuring food security
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IAASTD and successful alternatives
from India.
The third session will discuss the IAASTD findings and
its relevance to India. Apart from this development
practitioners and farmers will present success stories
of alternative agro-ecological modes of farming
practiced in different parts of the country.
Goal of the Seminar:
Outputs:
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A call to action endorsed by the
Sustainable Agriculture Scientists and practitioners.
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A high-quality publication of the
seminar papers and discussion outcomes
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Reinforce existing partnerships of
Sustainable Agriculture practitioners and researchers
and forge new ones
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