1st August 2017. Dehradun. Navdanya began the annual A-Z Agro-ecology course at the Navdanya Biodiversity Conservatory farm in the Doon Valley. The major theme of this annual course is “A-Z Biodiversity & Agro-ecology and Organic Food System” Over 22 participants from US, UK, Canada, Singapore, Italy, France, and India are attending this course that is focused on teaching organic farming, with special emphasis on seed saving, agro-ecological methods of farming & sustainability and organic food system.

Inauguration Ceremony
Speaking in the inaugural session Dr. Shiva said, “Biodiversity based organic farming and indigenous seeds are the only solutions to increase food security of the world. Biodiversity is low of return and basis of this farming can act as a catalyst in mitigating the effects of climate change and global warming,” Dr. Shiva claimed that introduction of green revolution in 1984 has given more deleterious effect of Indian farming system due to large scale using of pesticides and agro chemicals and it is high time to switch over from this poison farming not only in India but all over the world.

The farmers are committing suicide in hundreds of thousands, while the indigenous are being robbed of their lands and knowledge, while the consumer is experiencing a massive health epidemic. She added

At Navdanya biodiversity conservation centre, we are helping people to learn about biodiversity based organic farming as a way to heal their soils, revive the knowledge of their ancestors and free themselves of a corporate driven food system.Dr. Shiva said.

Many esteemed faculties are coming to the farm to make this course more diverse and memorable. Navdanya is having Dr. Salvatore Ceccarelli is known as custodian of biodiversity, and is a sought-after consultant in barley breeding and particularly research. Formerly full-time professor in Agriculture Genetics at the University of Perugia. Other faculty included Dr Vandana Shiva, eminent environmental and director of Navdanya. Dr.Vir Singh, professor of environmental science in G.B.Pant Agriculture University, Pantnagar, India. Av Singh, who is a Organic & Rural Infrastructure Specialist with Perennia in Nova Scotia, working predominantly with organic and small-scale farmers on issues of production, processing, and marketing of agricultural goods and services, Marilyn McHugh and Chris Kennedy are a Biologist and Teacher, husband and wife team who founded The Hummingbird Project, a non-profit organization that works for social justice through ecological regeneration and community empowerment, Other esteemed individual who will at the course Maya Goburdhun, Dr Mira Shiva and Narsanna Koppula.