BY ALL NEPAL PEASANTS' FEDERATION (ANPFA)

All Nepal Peasants' Federation (ANPFa) in collaboration with the Pesticide Action Network Asia Pacific (PAN AP) celebrated the International Peasants Day by launching the Year of Rice Action (YORA) Programme for the Save our Rice Campaign in Asia amidst gala functions. On the occasion, Mr. Bam Dev Gautam, Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Minister for Home Affairs and Chairperson of ANPFa initiated the transplanting of rice seedlings in Tutunga village in Pokhara, about 230 kilometres west of Kathmandu, along with foreign delegates and indigenous peasants activists and local farmers. The inaugural function which was chaired by Ms. Santa Manavi, Vice Chairperson of ANPFa commenced in Tutunga Kaski at the presence of thousands of peasants. The emcee of the function was Mr. Prem Dangal, General Secretary of ANPFa. Faithful homage was offered to the martyrs of peasant movements by observing one minute silence by all the participants and the guests. The representatives from fraternal peasant organizations from the Philippines, Bangladesh, Japan and Malaysia also attended the event.

DPM Mr. Gautam said, "Rice is our staple food. It is our life and livelihood. It is our culture and dignity. In fact, we are saving our identity while preserving rice." He lauded the importance of the "Save our Rice" campaign and YORA. He also reiterated ANPFa's commitment to make the programme a grand success even if Nepalese people and its government are headlong down in framing a New Constitution where peoples' rights are well preserved along with Food Sovereignty and Human Right to Food.

Mr. Teoh Peir Yan who represented PAN AP based in Malaysia, addressed the function and opined that "Save our Rice" is a peoples' response in protest to corporate monopoly on rice by multi-nationals. Peasants of Asia are more closely attached together through this movement to uphold dignity of farmers."

Similarly, Mr. Chris Chavez of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) Philippines, stated that "YORA is the product of the long struggle of peasants of Asia against exploitation." He also gave a clarion call to make it a grand success which is going to be culminated in the Philippines in 2010. Mrs. Lotus Karmoker from BARCIK, Bangladesh and farmer Abdul Ajij also spoke on the occasion.

The glorious inaugural function was organized in a way to signify peasants' struggle for land, food and bio-diversity. Peasant leaders from different parts of the country joined the function. They played and sung an inspiring peasant song and there were local music played with traditional instruments and dances representing different indigenous peoples. Local vegetables, organic foods and traditional recipes were served in banana leaves signifying the farmers' culture. Similarly, more than a dozen programmes were held in different parts of country to mark the International Peasants' Day.

The festive inauguration was followed with the Asian Rice Conference where various countries shared their action plans for YORA. Mr. K. P. Sharma Oli, Standing Committee member of CPN (UML) and former DPM also addressed the gathering. He expressed solidarity in peasants' struggle and supported YORA on behalf of his party and constituents. He said 1.2 million members of ANPFa are dedicated to make the programme a success along with peasant communities in Asia.

Moreover, Mr. Hari Parajuli presented the paper on GE Rice; Mr. Nahendra Khadka talked about the System of Rice Intensification and; Mr. Peir Yan shared about the Save Our Rice Campaign - its issues and challenges. There was serious discussions and participants actively participated with genuine reasons and practical suggestions. There was unanimity among participants that peasants should be considered the forerunners in social, political and economic changes and improvements. They also called the concerned dignitaries and responsible persons to make commitments for it. In conclusion, a Pokhara Declaration was issued as a commitment to uphold YORA. The event was capped with a rice cultural show.
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Reference:
Balram Banskota, Deputy Secretary General
All Nepal Peasants' Federation (ANPFa)
Madan Nagar Balkhu Kathmandu, Nepal
Telephone: 977-14288404; Fax: 977-14288403
E-mail: anpfa@anpfa.org.np, balram@anpfa.org.np