Nagpur Seed Festival 2015 (Feb 13-15) Invitation, Concept Note & Schedule

Welcome to NAGPUR SEED FESTIVAL 2015

Come with friends n family to the Exhibition cum Sale of Seed Diversity, Farm produce & Books, Interact with Seed Savers & Farmers, Enjoy Song & Music, Discussions & much more.. and please carry you own glasses to avoid use of plastic cups !

ON 13-14-15 February 2015 ( starting at 2PM on 13th and ending at 5PM on 15th )

AT Sarvodaya Ashram, near Bhole Petrol Pump, Dharampet, Amravati Marg, Nagpur

Registration Rs. 300/- includes food & stay for three days.

JOIN ! HELP ! SUPPORT !

Do contact us to register, volunteer and/or make financial contribution.

Do help spread the word by forwarding this invitation to others who may be interested. Our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/881449128543295

Looking forward to see you,

Dr. Satish Gogulwar (+919422123016, arogyasathi@gmail.com)

Vasant Futane (+919422958767, sapress.marathi@gmail.com)

Tanmay SJ (+91-8087502186, tanmay_sj@yahoo.com)

Avil Borkar, Bhandara (9011942822, gympbhandara@gmail.com)

Rupinder Nanda, Nagpur (9860731666, rupindernanda@gmail.com)

Prachi Mahurkar, Nagpur (9823612468, mahurkar.prachi@gmail.com)

Akash Naoghare, Nagpur (9766912745, anaoghare@gmail.com)

Satyajeet, Nagpur (8983484449, satyajeet@kanetkar.co.in)

Sajal Kulkarni, Nagpur (9881479239, sajalskulkarni@gmail.com)

Prakash Dambhare, Wardha (9421816262, prakashrdambhare@gmail.com)

Shankar Amilkanthwar, Yavatmal (9423664122, shankaramilkanthwar@gmail.com)

Surabh Raut, Akola (9730448564, saurabhraut4@gmail.com)

Nandkishor Gandhi, Amaravati (8888117479, nandungandhi@gmail.com)

Tejal V, Mumbai (9833707598, tejal.roots@gmail.com)

Tejashri, Pune (8421542076, tejashri2211@gmail.com) 

Nagpur Seedfestival Concept Note

A seed is the symbol of life. It gives new birth to life. Beejotsav is the celebration of this life. It is concerned with the well-being of everyone.

Chemical fertilisers, pesticides, weedicides and other chemicals ruthlessly destroy nature. The use of genetically modified (G.M.) seeds has now been added to this list. Their thoughtless use has caused the devastation of our environment and has created health problems for the human population. It has now become imperative to reject these pollution causing chemicals. The use of environment-friendly technology has now become essential. All over the world experiments in the fields of organic, natural, biological and sustainable farming are taking place. For the last three decades India has also been working in this direction. This movement is gradually taking root in the minds of the people and  Beejotsav is a project that is following this course of action.

Today the number of farmers in the organic farming is meager. In spite of the great demand for organic farm produce, farmers don't turn to this kind of farming. Perhaps they need some help to turn away from chemical farming and start farming organically. They worry about the possible reduction in the farm produce and this is a very valid reaction. Here the consumer can help the farmer. If the consumer is ready to support her the farmer may feel encouraged to take the risk. Therefore it is essential to establish a direct contact between the farmer and the consumer. The relationship should not be one of commercial exchange between two parties, there should also be a human dimension to it. The Beejotsav is trying to make extra efforts in this direction.

Organic farm produce should be made available to the consumer at a fair rate. The consumer must take a lead in making this possible. Consumer groups should be formed in cities. These groups should organize direct contact with farmers. Regular visits to the farms, participating in the activity whenever possible will give strength to the movement of organic farming and will make it a community movement.

Cherishing human values by preserving natural resources ought to be the chief object of organic farming. We need to change the nature of relationship between a farmer and a consumer. Today it is mainly commercial. We need to make it more supportive, more humane, more complementary to each other.

This is the purpose of Beejotsav.

We invite you to participate in this celebration. Along with the Time-Table there is an appeal. Every year the generous and willing financial support given by friends has helped us to organize this programme. Along with financial help we request you to help us in every way you can.

Thank you.

NAGPUR SEED FESTIVAL 2015  Program Schedule
13.02.2015	First Day
Afternoon 2 to 2.10	1	Food Sovereignty This is third seed festival. Food is the common factor that connects us. All of us gathered have similar thoughts over how our food should be < brief explanation on food sovereignty So we begin by interacting with few individual  who have been  part this journey since the first seed festival.
2.10 to 3.15	2	Interviews of Representatives of Farmers, Consumers and Supporters which will bring more clarity over food
3.15 to 3.30	3	Inauguration in a different way
3.30 to 4	4	Break
4 to 4.30	5	Reading of Program schedule and instructions
4.30 to 7	6	On Seed Conservation -          Know the experience from  seed savers (4.30-5.30) -          Identified concerns by seed savers (5.30 -6) -          Biodiversity Committees and seed conservation & protection from these. (6-6.30) -          Important steps to be taken (6.30-7.30) -          Action Plan (7.30-7.45) -          Responsibility distribution (7.45-8)
8 to 9.30	7	Dinner
From 9.30	8	Cultural program, songs, games, fun activity, etc.
14.02.2015	Second Day
Till 9 AM	1	Breakfast
9 to 12.30	2	Sustainable Farming Movement and Role of Women Farmers -          Concerns & risks on Sustainable Farming (9-9.30) -          Role of Women Farmers and their concerns (9.30-10.10) -          Movement and Present work status (10.10-10.25) -          Difficulties in the movement (10.25-10.45) -          Discussion on future steps to be taken (10.45-11.45) -          Action Plan (11.45-12.15) -          Responsibility distribution  (12.15-12.30)
12.30 to 2	3	Lunch
2 to 5.30	4 A	Parallel Session for Urban Consumers City Farming (Kitchen Garden, Growing veggies on Terrace/ Balcony ) -          Experiences of City Farmers (2-2.30) -          Difficulties faced by those who want to do city farming (2.40-3) -          Steps to solve these difficulties (3-3.30) -          Action Plan to grow your own food & promote city farming (3.30-4) -          Responsibility distribution  (4-4.15) Guidance to Safe food -          How to avoid toxic food? (4.15-4.40) -          How to store foodgrains without chemical use? (4.40-5.05) -          Importance of Traditional seeds (5.05-5.30)
2 to 5.30	4B	Parallel Session for Farmers Conversation with those farmers who are yet to adapt sustainable organic farming methods -          Views & Experience by such farmers (2-2.30) Difficulties  faced by these farmers in adapting sustainable organic farming methods (2.30-3) -          Action Plan to solve the difficulties (3-4) -          Responsibility distribution (4-4.15) Formation of local study group to take ahead the movement of sustainable farming and Seed conservation activities -          Why form study group? (4.15-4.30) -          Journey of study groups till date(4.30-4.45) -          Future plans of study group (4.45-5.15) -           Responsibility distribution (5.15-5.30)
5.30 to 6.30	5	Break
6.30 to 8	6	Cultural program, Songs, Poetry, Games, fun activity, etc.
8 PM	7	Dinner
15.02.2015	Third Day
Till 9 AM	1	Breakfast
9 to 12.30	2	Farmer-Consumer meet -          Experience on Impacts of Chemical farm produce (9-9.30) -          Difficulties in procuring non-toxic food (9.30-10.15) -          Difficulties in supplying organic farm produce Discussion and Action Plan -          Exploring possibilities for exchange of organic farm produce (11-11.45) -          Action Plan (11.45-12.15) -          Responsibility distribution (12.15-12.30)
12.30 to 2	3	Lunch
2 to 3	4	Feedback and Open Discussion
3 to 3.30	5	Reading out outcome of all sessions & name of those who have taken responsibilities
3.30 to 3.45	6	Declare expenses incurred & contributions received for Seed Festival 2015
3.45 t0 4	7	Closing Session