Shillong, Nov 12: The Sadolpara Comilla Cotton Farmers Association has been conferred with the prestigious Plant Genome Saviour Community Award by the central government’s Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) in recognition of its contribution to the conservation, cultivation and promotion of indigenous Comilla cotton (Gossypium arboreum race cernuum) and other traditional crops.
The award recognises the collective efforts of the traditional farming community in preserving this unique indigenous cotton variety through generations of traditional mixed-cropping practices. Comilla cotton is particularly valued for its large balls, high ginning output, tolerance to moisture stress, distinctive fibre characteristics and high absorbency, making it an important genetic resource with considerable potential for diversified applications.
The community’s contribution extends beyond cotton conservation. The farmers also preserve and cultivate several traditional crops, including rice, maize, ash gourd, broad bean and tapioca, thereby safeguarding valuable agro-biodiversity and indigenous agricultural knowledge. The community also promotes traditional millet-based food products during the Wangala festival, reflecting the close relationship between agricultural heritage, food culture and community traditions.
Recognising the potential of Comilla cotton for value addition, the College of Community Science, Tura, under the Central Agricultural University (CAU) Imphal, has been undertaking initiatives to explore innovative applications of this indigenous fibre. The ongoing efforts include the development and piloting of value-added products such as sanitary napkins, cotton buds and bandages, opening new avenues for sustainable utilisation of locally available natural fibres and enhancing livelihood opportunities for farming communities. The cotton has also been utilised in breeding-related research by ICAR-CICR.
The recognition carries a cash award of Rs 10 lakh, along with a citation and memento, honouring the community’s exemplary contribution to conserving valuable plant genetic resources.
The award is a significant recognition of the traditional farming wisdom of the Garo Hills and reinforces the importance of community-led conservation, sustainable agriculture and the utilisation of indigenous genetic resources for contemporary applications. It also highlights the role of research institutions in bridging traditional knowledge with scientific research, innovation and livelihood-oriented technology development.
