News
HRH launches the Bhumi Vardaan Foundation in Patiala, India
27th March 2006
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall have arrived in India for the final leg of their overseas tour and spent their first day in the Punjab.
On their first full day in India, The Prince focused on boosting the profile of organic farming in the country and launched a major new initiative to help farmers in India see the long-term benefits.
The Prince's new Bhumi Vardaan Foundation for sustainable agriculture will help farmers develop alternative methods of farming, in particular showing them the benefits of turning organic.
It is based on the successful Duchy Originals organic brand which aims to create a “virtuous circle” of natural food while also protecting rural communities.
At the Yadavindra Public School Stadium in Patiala, The Prince gave a speech to launch Bhumi Vardaan and expressed concern about the high levels of suicides among landowners in the region.
“Today many farmers have told me about the dramatic fall in the water table and the declining crop yields.” The Prince said.
“Over and above the frightening implications for the environment, there is a dreadful human cost as well.
“I have been appalled by what I have heard today about the terrifying number of farmers who having become so ensnared in a vicious spiral of debt and declining income, have been driven to take their own lives.
“So if we do not heed these warnings, I fear we all face a bleak and barred future.”
The Punjab, known as India's “bread basket” provides the Indian population with 22 per cent of its wheat and a third of its milk and dairy foods.
The Prince added: “It would be tragic if the wonderful countryside I have seen today could no longer support families who have farmed there for generations.
“It would be a great disaster if this great State could not continue to feed the people of India.
“And it would be terrifying if a lack of sustainable livelihoods further increased the remorseless drift of people to the unmanageable slums of the big cities.”
Earlier in the day, The Prince travelled to the village of Bhattmajra in the Punjab to met farmers who are converting their land to organic farming.
The Prince was greeted with seven garlands of bright orange and white marigolds, which were draped around his neck as he was welcomed by a colourful troupe of Bhangra dancers in striking kule wali fan-shaped turbans.
They moved in time to drumming music, leading The Prince as he walked through the small streets, dancing in front of him.
Villagers in their Sikh turbans and beautiful saris stood on the flat roofs of their homes, to watch The Prince and wave at him as he moved through the alleyways.
While in Bhattmajra The Prince visited a Khadi Gramudyog shop to see local women making cotton, or khadi, a high quality product with much potential to improve the local economy.
The Prince also visited the Punjab Agri-Food Park, which is run on a completely organic basis, to see how it would play an important role in the ongoing work of the Bhumi Vardaan Foundation by supplying land for the Foundation's headquarters and providing help and practical assistance to organic farmers.
It is the first time the couple have travelled to India together. The Prince last visited the country two and a half years ago.
He expressed his affection for the region, and told local reporters: “I love coming to India. It's so emotional.”
Last night, the couple attended a reception at the British High Commission in honour of Her Majesty's 80th birthday this year in Delhi, meeting members of the England and India cricket teams.