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**Summary:**

Pondicherry University recently hosted the “Traditional Organic Farmers Festival 2.0” to promote organic farming in Puducherry and Tamil Nadu. The festival, in collaboration with local organizations, aimed to achieve 50% adoption of organic practices by 2030. It featured the launch of initiatives promoting soil health, speeches on healthy eating, and brought together farmers, students, researchers, and policymakers to strengthen organic traditions.
**News Article Rewrite:**

**Puducherry University Hosts Festival to Boost Organic Farming in Region**

**PUDUCHERRY -** Pondicherry University hosted the “Traditional Organic Farmers Festival 2.0” recently, setting an ambitious goal to expand organic farming across 50% of Puducherry and neighboring Tamil Nadu by 2030. The festival, held in partnership with the Puducherry Natural Organic Farmers and Local Farmers Cooperative Society (PNOFLFCS) and the Association for Promoting Sustainability in Campuses and Communities (APSCC), drew over 600 participants, including students, farmers, researchers, and policymakers.

P. Prakash Babu, Vice-Chancellor of Pondicherry University, inaugurated the event and launched implementation brochures for the FAO’s Global Soil Doctors Programme and APSCC’s Global Young Soil Scientists Programme. These initiatives focus on educating and empowering farmers and students in sustainable soil health practices.

“It’s crucial for our youth to adopt healthy dietary habits to prevent lifestyle diseases,” stated Mr. Prakash Babu during his address, emphasizing the importance of local, nutritious products and echoing the principle of “food is medicine.” He also commended the women self-help groups present for their contribution.

Golda A. Edwin, Executive Director of APSCC, highlighted the importance of soil protection programs as a foundation for future innovation and sustainability. B. Charumathi, Director of Atal Community Innovation Centre-Pondicherry University StepUp Hub, emphasized ACIC-PUSH’s role in driving these programs for regional sustainability.

The festival featured numerous exhibition stalls from the Horticulture Wing of Pondicherry University, educational institutions, the Puducherry Central Prison, Self-Help Groups, and local organic farmers and entrepreneurs. P. M. L. Kalyanasundaram, MLA, inaugurated the stalls. Plenary sessions were led by experts from academia, government, the corporate sector, and the entrepreneurial community.

Organizers, including Veerappan, president of PNOFLFCS, and representatives from Pondicherry University’s Department of Food Science and Technology and the Green Campus initiative, hailed the festival as a crucial step towards strengthening organic traditions and promoting sustainable agriculture in the region.

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