3-day conference on managing agro-biodiversity in NE underway

With the traditional lighting of the lamp the 3-day National Conference on “Managing Agro-Biodiversity in North Eastern India (NCMAN-2024)” got underway today at ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam. The conference attracted scientists, researchers and students from the entire nation.

V. K. Mishra, Director ICAR- RC-NEH, Umiam in his welcome address highlighted the activities of the Institute and expressed his satisfaction for choosing the Institute to hold this important national conference on Agro- Biodiversity

K. M. Bujarbaruah, Vice President NAAS and Former Vice Chancellor, AAU, Jorhat emphasized there is a need to map the biodiversity strength of this region. He further added that the need is not only to conserve biodiversity but to multiply the same to create bio-wealth.

Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, Agricultural Scientist Recruitment Board (ASRB) New Delhi said that we need to create and preserve small field models of important crops which will enable the famers, entrepreneurs, students, visitors etc., to have an opportunity to study these crops anytime and multiply them accordingly. He stressed on opening outlets to sell local products with good branding not only in this region but also in other parts of the country which will provide visibility to the region.

T Mohapatra, Chairman, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority, New Delhi stated that biodiversity is itself very diverse therefore in addition to conservation, promotion and multiplication we also need to protect these so that the farmers can have sustainability as well as financial benefits. He added that institutional support needs to be provided to the farmers when it comes to developing a mechanism of linkage with the markets.

R. S. Paroda, President, ISPGR, in his speech emphasized that we need to take proper care as we have already caused much damage by over-exploitation. We need to study, conserve, evaluate and then come up with a defined action plan.

The chief guest during the occasion, C. H. Vijayashankar, Governor of Meghalaya, in his speech suggested that progressive farmers should also be made a part of this endeavour. Expressing his concerns over the fact that young youths are dwindling away from farming, he added we need to find ways and means to make farming sustainable and lucrative.

He stated this region has the potential of being the hub of Ayurveda or hub of medicinal plants so we need to encourage the people to take up farming also as a prospective opportunity. He added that when we talk about biodiversity it is not only with the scientist, but policy makers’ involvement is also required further adding that research and innovations will play a pivotal role in interdisciplinary research. He said that the outcome of the conference will pave a way for a more resilient and prosperous future.

A series of publications were released and awards for excellence in different biodiversity fields were given away during the inaugural session. The Governor also inaugurated an exhibition on this occasion where he took keen interest in the various products displayed by the different stalls.