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For zero-hunger world: St Aloysius College observes World Food Day

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Mangaluru: The Department of Food Processing and Engineering at St Aloysius College inaugrated one-day celebration of the World Food Day in a programme held at the Fr LF Rasquinha Hall, LCRI Block on Thursday, October 17.

October 16 of every year is observed as World Food Day by the United Nations in order to mark the founding of its subsidiary body, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1945.

The inaugral ceremony commenced with an invocation hymn followed by the ceremonial lighting of the lamp. The chief guest of the event was Green Path Foundation (Bengaluru) Founder H R Jayaram. Phalada Agro Research Foundation (Bengaluru) Managing Director Surya Shastry was the guest of honour. St Aloysius College Principal Dr Praveen Martis SJ presided over the programme.

LCRI Block and DDU Kaushal Kendra Director Richard Gonsalves welcomed the gathering while saplings were presented to the dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Jayaram said, “The main issue about food is that it has become a kind of slow poison. Earlier, we were taught that food is God, but now most of the food is contaminated. The main reason for this is that human beings are distancing themselves from nature.”

Elaborating on his work in the organic food industry, Jayaram said, “Organic agriculture is not just about one person doing it. It is a community movement. I’m proud to work in Bengaluru which is widely known as the organic capital of India. I was talking to your Principal earlier, and I was telling him that together we can make this institution organic as well.”

In his address, Shastry briefed the audience on the true meaning of organic agriculture and why it is extremely beneficial to Indian farmers. He said, “Food safety is not only a question of quantity but also of quality and sustainability. World hunger cannot simply be solved by growing more food. That is where organic agriculture comes into the picture.”

Mentioning the fallacies associated with organic farming, Shastry said, “There is a popular misconception that organic farming leads to a drop in crop yield. This is untrue. Organic farming is effective especially in small or marginal farmlands which is what most Indian farmers own. In all my interactions with farmers, I have never come across a farmer who has been disappointed by taking up organic farming.”

He also added that the millet crop, indigenous to the country, can be a major driver in eradicating world hunger.

Addressing the students, Dr Praveen Martis quipped, “We are all foodies, but how many of us are ready to work on a farm?”

Emphasising the need for people to know where their food came from, Dr Martis said, “We all want white-collar jobs, don’t we? But food doesn’t come from offices or concrete jungles. It comes from nature. That is why we have held this programme so that the youth can be sensitised to nature.”

Convener Adarsh Gowda delivered the vote of thanks and Aparna Jose compered the programme.

The one-day convention marking World Food Day also included presentations from various experts in the field of food and agriculture, as well as various competitions for the students and delegates.

For zero-hunger world: St Aloysius College observes World Food Day
For zero-hunger world: St Aloysius College observes World Food Day
For zero-hunger world: St Aloysius College observes World Food Day
For zero-hunger world: St Aloysius College observes World Food Day

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