Chandigarh, Fri Aug 17 2012, 05:04 hrs

With an aim to promote the availability of pesticide free food for all citizens, the Alliance for Safe Food, led by Kheti Virasat Mission, is to organize a two-day food festival to be held at Punjab Kala Bhawan Sector 16, on August 18 and 19.

“In the last sixty years there must have been lakhs of crores of rupees spent on providing subsidies to farmers, of these not even one percent money or manpower is spent in organic farming development, research or food procurement systems,” said Umendra Dutt, executive director of Kheti Virasat Mission.

The alliance states that living in denial will not resolve the threat posed by chemical fertilizers in food, as around 6-13,000 types of insecticides are found in the blood of an average Indian and it is the duty of the government to ensure safe and healthy food for every household.

Hemant Goswami, chairman of Citizens’ Voice said that decision making related to safe food consumption is important in cities like Chandigarh as they determine the consumption pattern of neighboring towns also. “Both Punjab and Haryana use the maximum number of pesticides across India. These harmful substances being found even in the breast milk in Punjab is an indicator that the production system needs a overhauling,” he said.

The safe food festival will feature traditional cuisine from different states and cultural performances. The alliance will hold two Jaago ceremonies, one was held today at Panjab University today and the other will be held at Sector 17 Plaza on Friday evening.

(Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/safe-food-fest-to-promote-pesticidefree-farming/989403/)