Prince Charles to set up organic institute in India
Dated: 3 April 2006
The Punjab is becoming a high-profile destination. Even as US president George Bush keeps the state on tenterhooks, another VIP is knocking on its door. The man is none other than Prince Charles who could soon be rubbing shoulders with the farmers of Punjab. The aim of the visit: To visit the food park in Fatehgarh district in March.
Unlike the US President's visit, being planned by the private telecom company, Bharti Telecom, Prince Charles trip would be an official one. Formalities for the visit are underway and a high-level team representing the Prince, comprising officials of the British High Commission, held detailed discussions with chief minister Capt. Amarinder Singh at Patiala. The trip is being planned for the last week of March and the itinerary would include visit to NRI promoted Food Park at irhand, where the crown prince wants to set up a training and research centre for organic farming.
An organic farming buff, Prince Charles, who runs his own farm, Duchy Originals, decided to set up a training institute for small and marginal farmers in Punjab after a presentation by the Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited (PAGREXCO). The presentation, made by PAGREXCO MD, Himmat Singh, in London recently, referred to the proposed Food Park promoted by a group of British NRIs and Idma Laboratories.
The main thrust of the Food Park project is to export fresh\semi-processed vegetables and fruits to the United Kingdom, Middle East, South-Asia and Europe. The Idma Foundation for Sustainable Development is also involved in the project, sources said. Prince Charles, who was impressed with the presentation, mooted the idea for training farmers in growing crops using no or minimum fertiliser. Punjab officials jumped at the idea and invited him to come to the state.
Source: The Hindustan Times Reprinted with permission from Organic Monitor
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