Children in the farm, in Raichur, where part of the study was conducted
The seminar brought to focus the present food crisis and
agricultural situation in the country as well as the resource
degradation and the threats posed by intensive farming practices.
It also discussed the findings of International Assessment of
Agriculture Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) - a new
UN-World Bank report, modeled on the lines of IPCC, which was
released earlier this year.
The group of diverse specialists recommended that urgent
measures be taken to conserve the country's natural resource base
by shifting to sustainable eco-friendly farming practices. The
International Seminar was first in the series of discussion forums
that Greenpeace India will be conducting to highlight the role of
natural resource conservation in India's food security.
"It is critical to bring together scientific wisdom and
practical knowledge to analyze the agriculture situation in the
country and to identify lasting solutions to this serious problem"
said Gopikrishna, Sustainable agriculture campaigner from
Greenpeace while presenting the theme paper of the seminar. He also
opined that there is a need to provoke discussion about the
positive potential of agro-ecological modes of farming being
practiced successfully in different parts of the country.
Greenpeace also launched a new website, www.smartfarming.org - a
global online community for academia, farmers and civil society to
carry forward and widen the discussion initiated at this
seminar.
Dr.Jan Van Aken, Scientific advisor, Greenpeace International,
said, "The IAASTD report calls for a fundamental change in the
present intensive farming practices in order to address soaring
food prices, hunger, social inequities and environmental
disasters". On the controversial issue of Genetically engineered
crops, Dr. van Aken, who was also part of the IAASTD negotiations,
stated, "The report does not see genetically engineered crops
having any role in addressing the key problems of climate change,
biodiversity loss, hunger and poverty".
Presenting her paper on 'Lessons from IAASTD for Indian
Agricultural policy', Dr. Rajeswari Raina, Senior fellow, Centre
for Policy Research and a co-author of the IAASTD report, said,
"The Government of India has made a commitment to inclusive growth
in the 11th Five Year Plan; the IAASTD findings speak directly to
this commitment to eradicate poverty and malnutrition, and ensure a
sustainable environment". She further added, "Today, the world
looks up to India to emerge as the most dynamic environmental
nation state, to lead a real green revolution, deploying advanced
eco-friendly technologies, its wealth of traditional knowledge, and
humane macro policies".
Dr Srijit Mishra (IGIDR, Mumbai), Mr Harvir Singh (Business
Bhaskar), Dr Dinesh Kumar (IRAP, Hyderabad), Dr. Reyes Tirado
(University of Exeter, UK), Mr. Jacob Nellihanam (Richharia
Campaign, Chattisgarh), Mr Umendra Dutt (Kheti Virasat Mission,
Punjab) and Mr Chandrasekhar (CSA, Andhra Pradesh) also presented
papers.
Taking cues from the UN-World Bank IAASTD report, the expert
group suggested that the impending food crisis would be worse than
the present financial crisis, and urged the Indian government to
put in place policy measures to encourage nature-friendly farming
practices and stop the food crisis from becoming a catastrophe.
For further information, contact
Gopikrishna S.R - Sustainable Agriculture campaigner, Greenpeace India, +91-99008 97341 
Ankur Ganguly – Communications Manager, Greenpeace India, +91-98453 73818 
Notes to Editor
1. The International Assessment of Agricultural Science and Technology for Development (IAASTD) is a unique collaboration initiated by the World Bank in partnership with a multi-stakeholder group of organisations, including the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Environmental Programme, the World Health Organisation and representatives of governments, civil society, private sector and scientific institutions from around the world.
The IAASTD's key objective is to provide information for decision makers on how to structure agricultural research and development so it can help to reduce hunger and poverty, improve rural livelihood and foster sustainable development.
2. The report was compiled by over 400 of the world's leading agricultural scientists, selected by all participating governments, companies and NGOs. It is the most comprehensive account of agricultural knowledge, science and technology. It provides guidance for governments, UN agencies and funding institutions for their future priority setting in agriculture and development. The next step is for governments and agencies to adjust their funding, research and development programmes accordingly.
3. The IAASTD report is available for download at: http://www.agassessment.org