Mysore/Mysuru: The 5th Kisan Swaraj Sammelan has been organised by ASHA (Alliance for Sustainable Holistic Agriculture), a national-level network of farmers involved in agro-ecology, in association with the Karnataka State Open University (KSOU), for three days at the KSOU premises in city from tomorrow (Nov. 11).

Disclosing this at a press meet at Pathrakartara Bhavan here yesterday, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar of the Mysore royal family, who is also the Chairman of the Reception Committee, 5th Kisan Swaraj Sammelan, said that more than 2,000 delegates from 27 States including Nagaland, Manipur, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Bihar and Jharkhand will be participating in this 3-day congregation of one of the largest gatherings of agro-ecology practitioners and advocates in India’s history.

He said that the Kisan Swaraj Sammelan provides a unique opportunity for Mysureans to get themselves educated and engage themselves with issues pertaining to organic, natural farming and food.

The Sammelan will be held between 11 am and 8 pm on Nov 11 and 12 and between 11 am and 4.30 pm on Nov. 13 with following events:

Seed Diversity Festival: The Seed Diversity Festival aims to raise public awareness and policy support to conserve, regenerate and share this priceless wealth of agro-biodiversity and related knowledge, skills and values. Seed savers from 18 States with more than 2,000 varieties of various crops will be on display.

Organic Seed Production Demonstration will be given by Keshav Murthy and K.S. Manju of Sahaja Seeds. Special focus  will be on banana diversity with banana varieties coming from across the country.

Roots and Tubers Festival including Uncultivated Foods: Roots, tubers and uncultivated foods have played a critical role in nutrition for people. For people today, they provide an untapped source of nutrition and taste providing an opportunity to move beyond junk foods.

Urban Gardening Workshops: Those interested to gain  knowledge and skills on urban gardening can attend the training workshops led by experts Dr. K. Ramakrishnappa of Belavala Foundation & Government of Karnataka’s Jaivik Krishik Society and Dr. Padma Sudarshan of Farmer’s House on Nov. 11 and 12 between 11.30 am and 1 pm.

Cotton Yarn Spinning & Natural Dyeing Workshops: The workshops will be led by K.J. Sachidananda of Mysore Spinners’ Group, Tula, Janapada Seva Trust and Gram Sewa Mandal. In addition, talks will also be conducted between 3 pm and 4.30 pm on Nov. 11 and 12.

Pottery workshop will be conducted by Venkatesh of Doora village to provide an opportunity to learn traditional artisanal skills.

Handmade Soap-Making Workshop will be conducted by Alur Murthy and an interaction with consumers by Namdu/ Farmers’ House/ Greenpeace/ Prakriti will be held at 11.30 am on Nov. 13 where people will be able to share and learn on broader issues related to availability, reliability, affordability of organic food, consumption and related themes. Various cultural events will also be held in the evenings before public lecture/ discussion.

Town Hall Discussion on ‘Agro-Ecology in India’ with Padma Shri Bharat Bhushan Tyagi, Padma Shri Sabarmatee and Dr. Prakash Bhat will be held on Nov. 11 from 6.30 pm onwards; Public Lecture on ‘Economic Security for all Farm Households’ by Devinder Sharma and Nandini Jayaram will take place Nov. 12 from 6.30 pm; Agri-Exhibition including sales of organic food materials will also be held.

Documentary film screening for those looking to learn about various issues through the means of films and Agri-Art demonstrations, a small glimpse of traditional agricultural art demonstrations including coconut shell art and crafts, gourd art, banana fibre arts, ragi and thoranam-making, coconut fresh leaf art will also be held.

The valedictory of the three-day Sammelan will be held on Nov. 13 afternoon.

Sammelan Organising Committee Members Krishnaprasad and Kavita Srinivasan, National Committee Member Kapil Shah, Reception Committee Member U.N. Ravikumar and others were present at the press meet.