Payasam and Koozh, made of small millet (samai), were the delicacies that were offered to farmers and public who attended a seminar on ‘Traditional Food’, being organised by the Department of Agriculture as part of the Uzhavar Peruvizha (farmers festival) in all the 20 blocks in the district since April 19, here on Friday.
Joint Director of Agriculture (in-charge) Tamilselvan said that the programme aimed at re-creating awareness about traditional food among the people. The participants were given handouts regarding natural products that could be brought to daily use. Tamilselvan said that with people moving away from nature, the significance of various natural products like tender coconuts, cotton, shikaikai and small millets was lost on them. Tender coconut is rich in nutrients and is an ideal natural drink for all age groups, especially during summers, he said. It improved blood circulation and energise the body, he added.
Tamilselvan said that shikaikai was earlier used as a natural hair nurturing shampoo, but of late, people were opting for chemical substitutes. He said that dresses made of cotton help in maintaining optimum body temperature besides preventing allergies. The State government is making efforts to revive the use of these products among people, he added.
Collector Sankar who presided over the seminar urged youngsters to switch back to natural food made of small millets and avoid junk food. He said that junk food leads to many diseases and “we will spend the better part of our lives fighting these diseases”. Village people still live on small millets, which is one of the reasons for their healthy lives, he said.
