Report by Anata Prasad; Bhubaneswar: The celebration of World Kitchen Garden Day which was organized by Odisha Chasi Vikash Trust (OCVT) and Kitchen Gardeners’ Association, Bhubaneswar was inaugurated by Shri Debi Prasad Mishra, Agriculture Minister, Govt. of Orissa at State Quality Control Laboratory, Bhubaneswar on 26-08-2012.

On this occasion, the Minister assured that all possible assistance would be provided to OCVT to propagate organic farming among the farmers of the State and would popularize kitchen garden movement to augment toxin free production of vegetables. Dr S.K.Chadha, Director, Horticulture enlightened the gathering on the steps taken by the Department for accelerating production, processing and marketing of vegetables for the benefit of the farmers. The Department is also trying to reduce the role of middlemen between the vegetable producers and consumers by opening chain of vegetable sale outlets.

He also assured OCTV of extending all co-operation if they popularize organic farming among the vegetable growers. On this occasion, Shri Panchanan Kanungo, the former Finance Minister of Odisha as the Chief Speaker on the occasion requested the Minister to extend hassle free assistance to the vegetable growers so that the state will be self-sufficient in vegetable requirement. Presiding over the function, Dr. Baidyanath Mishra, the noted Economist and former Vice Chancellor of Orissa University of Agriculture & Technology expressed happiness at the assurance given by the Minister for augmenting vegetable production of the State, but wished the Minister should keep his promise.

Shri Maheswar Khillar, convener of the celebration committee welcomed the guests and Shri Natabar Khuntia of OCVT extended the vote of thanks.
The novel idea of celebrating World Kitchen Garden Day by garlanding Lord Balaram who symbolizes agriculture in Indian culture was appreciated by the gathering. Another innovative novel idea was the opening song being  recited from  three selected stanzas of the  agriculture song penned by the noted poet Gangadhar Meher- appropriate to the occasion which was applauded by the gathering.

The inaugural function was followed by a Technical session under the chairmanship of Shri Panchanan Kanungo. Dr. R.N.Bishoyi, Dr. Adaitya Patra, Dr. P.Dhal, Dr.G.S.Sahu, Dr.Bijoy Mishra and Dr. T.Sahu spoke on roof top farming,  mushroom growing, kitchen gardening, leafy vegetables  , biological control of insects & pests and soil testing respectively.
There was an exhibition of plants, seedlings, organically produced vegetables, organic manures and organic pesticides, kitchen implements, pots, stands etc.
There was a huge gathering of kitchen gardeners, representatives of NGOs, students and housewives.