ECO food festival at Arugam Bay

by M.A. Phakurdeen, Addalaichenai group correspondent

The Arugam Bay Eco-Food Festival - 2011 on the theme "Toxin free Food and Pollution free environment" organised by Arugam Bay Tourism Association (ABTA), Sri Lanka Eco-tourism Foundation, Community Guides and Farmers' Association with the assistance of ICEI/Overseas and CTS has drawn a large number of tourists from various countries at the Arugam Bay Galaxy Hotel recently.

Country vegetables produced by the beneficiaries of the ICEI/Overseas and CTS using only the compost fertiliser sans any chemicals displayed by the villagers were viewed by the invitees and the foreigners touring Sri Lanka and staying in Arugam Bay resorts.

The Chief Guest at this ceremony, Pottuvil Pradeshya Sabha chairman M.S. Waseeth, Guest of honor the Chairman ABTA M.H. Raheem and special invitees foreign tourists were taken in a procession flanked by traditional dances and drum beatings to the venue of the Eco Food Festival. The guests, invitees and the beneficiaries who participated in the festival appended their signatures and affirmed the declaration "Lets join hands to give our future generation toxin-free food and pollution-free environment".

The Country Director ICEI/Overseas Ms. Sabrina Espeletta said she was happy to note that revolutionary changes are now in the offing in the use of the compost fertiliser and engaged in their home garden activities. This message should go all over and this trend should be continued, she said. The Programme Co-ordinator I.L.M. Najeem in his PowerPoint presentation touched on the areas what is organic agriculture, what is conventional farming? "Modern agriculture", "Intensive farming" and what we do? and food poisoning.