Dharamsala, August 5 – The new agricultural policy of the Kashag based on truth and non-violence is nearing implementation as the Agriculture Section of the Department of Home plans to hold workshops in south India.
Besides series of visits by the Kalon Tripa himself to the Tibetan settlements, the Kashag had earlier invited noted environmentalist and activist Vandana Shiva to Dharamsala to talk on the merits of organic farming.
The Kalon Tripa is currently touring the south Indian settlement of Mungod from where he will head towards Bangalore, Chennai and Pondicherry. He will also address the workshop on Permaculture at Auroville, Pondicherry.
The first leg of the workshop will be held at Tibet Pavilion, Auroville, Pondicherry, from August 8 to 12. The organisers believe workshop at Auroville will be a good exposure to the trainees since it has small farms in its campus for study.
The second leg of the workshop will be held at the Tibetan Farm Project, Bylakuppee Tibetan settlement in Karnataka State from August 13 to 22. Two experts on Permaculture from Australia and a few others from Auroville will conduct the workshops.
An additional Secretary of the Department of Home, the Chief Representative of south Indian Tibetan settlements, 17 Tibetan agricultural extentionists (who will guide the Tibetan settlers) from 12 different settlements, 8 settlement officers, the manager of the Tibetan Farm Project, Bylakuppee, a staff from environment and development desk of the Department of Information and international Relations and a few Indians are expected to attend the two workshops.
The workshops are being held under the direct funding and supervision of the Kashag which is committed to bringing about an agricultural revolution in the Tibetan settlements.
The workshop will focus on ‘Permaculture’ which, according to Mr. Tsering Dorjee of Department of Home, is a more systematized version of traditional Indian farming.
