Kisan Swaraj yatra – coming to Kerala – Can we join the campaign

Dear Friends,

I hope you remember that since the last year and earlier this year, we all joined the  campaign against G M crops in India.  The response was very encouraging and we were able to communicate message to the people, media as well as to state govt. Although with the active efforts of Minister of Environment and Forest Mr. Jaiam Ramesh Govt. of India and with active support of State Governments like Kerala, has temporarily stopped the commercial cultivation of GM Brinjal but many other issues are still there which needs strong discussion and advocacy. Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), a network of individuals and organizations across the country that has grown out of this movement has decided to initiate these issues.

The Alliance for Sustainable & Holistic Agriculture (ASHA), has announced that a Kisan Swaraj Yatra would set off from Sabarmati Ashram on October 2nd 2010, to remind all Indians of our hard-won independence and the insidious ways in which agri-business corporations, supported by the State are taking this independence and sovereignty away, especially with regard to our food and farming. This Yatra is a call for joining forces to save Indian farming and farmers mired in deep distress and to forge a sustainable path forward for Indian farming.

The Yatra will highlight issues such as seeds sovereignty, land grab, climate change, food sovereignty and security, GE seeds, chemical pesticides, farm produce pricing, etc. that directly and indirectly affect small farmers in addition to bringing up a debate around the proposed Green Revolution in Eastern India, the tie-ups that several governments have with MNCs like Monsanto, the continuing saga of farmers suicides and so on.

The Yatra will also raise the concerns over free trade and bilateral agreements, the proposed food security and seeds laws, BRAI Bill, the handing over of public resources for private gains etc. The Kisan Swaraj Yatra will also draw in urban consumers into its fold and will raise issues of food safety, consumer choices etc. The Yatra will celebrate the conservation of diversity by farmers, farmers knowledge and will highlight the successes of ecological farming. The participants will develop concurrent events, programmes, campaigns in accordance with the needs and priorities in their respective states.

The Yatra will visit Kerala from 26th to 29th of October. A concept note in English is attached. We have to plan the programmes for Kerala.  The Yatra will travel through Kasaragod, Kannur, Kozhikode, Malappuram and Palakkad.

To plan this we are calling a meeting along with Jaiva Karshaka Samithi and One Earth One Life on 15th September 2010 at Kozhikode at 11.00 am.  Please ensure you are able to participate in this meeting.  Please call Sridhar ( 09995358205) for details of venue of this planning meeting.

Hope for an active participation, cooperation and involvement in the Kisan Swaraj Yatra. At the bottom  is the concept note, travel details and a press release.

Regards:

Usha S (9447022775)

Sridhar R (9995358205)

Thanal

H-3, Jawaharnagar, Kawdiar P.O. Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
India PIN 695 003
Tel / Fax: +91 471 2727150
Email: mail.thanal@gmail.com
www.thanal.co.in
www.save-our-rice.net
www.zerowastekovalam.org

Concept note, travel details and a press release.

swaraj yatra-concept note-aug.25

KSY anncmnt-PR-aug.25

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