People agitate In the streets: Women are in the forefront

NAFSO joined with the farmers and other groups agitated against  the seed act today. Sri Vimukthi Women were the group represented mainly and joined the struggle in Colombo with the concerned agitators.
The agitators say this is a killing to farmers and food systems in the country. The agitators expected to hand over a petition to the minister of agriculture though minister did not come to receive the petition.
Then 5 leaders went in side the agriculture ministry and handed over the petition with alternative proposals to the propoaed seed act.
We all are in the struggle and continue till the end and change the seed act.

People agitate against proposed seed act

The Movement for Protection of Right to Seed will launch a massive campaign at Pelawattha Junction Colombo protesting against the nelwy proposed Seed act of 2013.

While vehemently opposing to the proposed act, the movement has come up with an alternative Seed act as a replacement. The world is moving towards agro- ecological approach for farming. IN this context, as the use of chemicals goes down and the chemical producing companies are attempting to retain their profits with pushing the national states to introducing new policies on agriculture which help to use chemicals in the agriculture in the countries. The newly introduced seed act is one of an example of such attempts as we analyze the situation.
The right to produce traditional seeds no more after introduction of the new seed act.
Women, who happened to be the practitioners of sees producers generation to generation will not be allowed any more. This will further marginalize women and deprive their rights.
We, as NAFSO will join the campaign as this is also part of our process to build up change, Change with Reforms in fact.

Following is the poster prepared by the Movement to invite all those concern for the campaign.

Seed Act for Whom?

"Seed Bill will destroy our future"  says Rev. Mahamankadawala Piyarathana thero, convener,  Movement for protect seed rights at the press briefing held at National Library today.
"Why we need another act while there is an act in 2003" Piyarathana thero further added.
The minisyry of agriculture has enacted  the Seed Act No 22 of 2003 which is being enforced at the moment.  However, government is in a  hurry to introduce new seed act which is totally up side down the 2003 act.

Chinthaka Rajapkse, coordinator of MONLAR revealed that they totally reject the proposed seed act unconditionally and proposed an alternative seed act instead.
The Movement to protect seed right revealed that they will organize a protest  against the proposed seed act on 24th infront of Agriculture ministry at 10.00 am.