Interaction Programme on Rice

All Nepal Peasants Federation Hold Interaction Programme on GE rice
15th and 16h August, 2009
Kathmandu, Nepal

ANPFa is launching different types of activities regarding the issue of rice. According to PANAP call 2009-10 as year of rice action, ANPFa is engaged with series of programmes like peasants school on YORA, interaction programme with farmers on the spot during plantation, weeding and harvesting time. The concept of BEA is increasing spontaneously in Nepal. By its pressure, lobbying and Advocacy, government was compelled to declare subside for organic farmers. In the continuous YORA programme, ANPFa organized two days interaction programme on the 15th and 16th of August, 2009 on rice cultivation. 50 participants from Nepal took part in the discussion programme including National committee members of different peasant organizations, Peasants from different castes, ethnic groups, and religions; women; dalit; indigenous people; and other minorities including the disabled and people from remote areas, Representatives of non-governmental organizations, scientists and researchers, Youth Peasants and Media with Specific objectives to share information with rice farmers on genetically engineered rice, discussing the impact of rice farming on the Nepalese economy, promoting the System of Rice Intensification rice cultivation method and establishing linkages and networks between like-minded organizations and people working to protect rice culture and diversity.
In the programme various distinguished persons presented on topics related to rice production in Nepal.
Dr. Nanda Bahadur Singh presented under heading Genetic Engineering and Recombinant DNA Technology. Under this topic he presented, What is genetic engineering? What are its uses? And also provided Thumbnail Sketch: Historical Gleanings of Genetic Engineering.
Mr. Keshav Lal Shrestha, Deputy President of ANPFa offered his paper on the topic Organic Farming in Nepal: Prospects and Challenges. In this paper he specially presented prospects and challenges of Organic rice production in Nepal.

Mr. Hari Parajuli, Secretary of ANPFa presented the paper on Genetically Engineered rice. During his presentation he provided various points for which we should say “No” to GE rice. According to him Bio-tech companies argue that their patented rice is needed to feed the world because of the gap between food production and human population. This argument is not acceptable and said that real cause of hunger and malnutrition is poverty and lack of access to food, which GE could not address. It is also noteworthy that 78 percent of all malnourished children in the developing world are live in countries with food surpluses. Similarly he provided various Health and Nutritional, Technical and Environmental problems on the basis of which GE rice should be opposed.

Moreover, Mr. Nahendra Khadka, the Chairperson of Youth Peasants' Federation, Nepal talked about the System of Rice Intensification and; Mr. Balram Banskota, the Deputy General Secretary of ANPFa shared about the Save Our Rice Campaign - its issues and challenges. There were serious discussions and participants actively participated with genuine reasons and practical suggestions.