ICAR - CCARI, Goa, celebrated World Food Day @ Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

    ICAR - Central Coastal Agricultural Institute (ICAR-CCARI), Goa and Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa, celebrated World Food Day on 16^th October, 2021 at Diwar Island of Tiswadi taluka of State of Goa under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav in commemoration of 75^th year of independence. Dr. Parveen Kumar, Director, ICAR – CCARI, Chief Guest, said that this year World Food Day is being celebrated as a tribute to ‘food heroes’ and create awareness to mitigate hunger & malnutrition, maintain sustainability and increase food production. He gave an insight on wastage of food at different levels and emphasized that 17% of food is wasted at consumer level. This can be saved to feed the under-nourished population of the world. Shri Mario Pinto, Sarpanch, Goltem-Navelim, stressed to maintain the agricultural productivity of the Diwar Island. He informed that the Island was once a major paddy grower but due to ingress of saline water and mangroves, area under cultivation has decreased drastically and requested the technological backstopping from the ICAR-CCARI and KVK, North Goa to bring back some area again under paddy cultivation in kharif and under vegetables during rabi season. He thanked the Institute for demonstrating the various technologies and support extended time to time to the farmers of the Island. Shri H. R. C. Prabhu, Head, KVK briefly introduced the significance of celebrating World Food Day and apprised about its history. During the technical session, Smt. Sunetra Talaulikar, SMS (Home Science) talked on ‘Better nutrition and better life’ and Shri Rahul Kulkarni, ACTO about ‘Better production and a better environment’.  On the occasion coins released since 1970 by Government of India to Commemorate World Food Day were also displayed. To promote healthy and nutritious food items, a cooking competition using millets, pulses and vegetables was also arranged, where 24 farm women participated and prizes were awarded. Smt. Alba Silvera, Computer Trainer, Goltem-Navelim gave the welcome address and Smt. Rina D’Souza, a Progressive Farmer proposed vote of thanks. The program was coordinated by Dr. Monica Singh, SMS (Agril Extension) and documented by Shri Vishwajeet Prajapati, Technical Officer (Computer). The programme was attended by 52 farmers and farm women.