A workshop on conservation of plant genetic resources was organised by ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) and College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences, Umiam jointly on March 14.
Over 130 farmers including self-help groups from nine nearby villages participated in the programme.
Dr. K C Bhatt, Principal Scientist, NBPGR in his remarks has informed that North East region is one of the hotspots of biodiversity to the world and holds rich diversity of various indigenous crops, economic species etc.
“Since inception, ICAR-NBPGR has been making efforts at national level to conserve such precious diversity from all over the country including the North East region. But due to several anthropogenic pressures, the valuable genetic wealth of our country is eroding gradually. Hence, awareness for conservation of indigenous diversity was organised,” Bhatt said.
During the programme, Dr. R S Rathi, Principal Scientist, NBPGR mentioned that about six lakh samples of various crops and other economic species assembled from India and other countries of the world are conserved in National Gene Bank (the second largest in world) at NBPGR, New Delhi. He said that these genetic resources are being utilized by the scientists for breeding of new varieties.
The chief guest of the programme, Surenderaji from Seva Bharati mentioned that conservation of plant wealth involving the farmers is a very important initiative and the need of the hour. He suggested that such activity needs to be organised on a regular basis throughout the country.
Ajay Nag, Zila Pracharak of Seva Bharati also addressed the participants and said that conducting such important events can help in improving the food, nutritional and environmental issues at the local level.
Prof. Ram Singh of College of Post Graduate Studies in Agricultural Sciences Umiam in his remark mentioned that such types of awareness will encourage farmers to be ‘vocal for local’ in improvement of social and cultural issues.
During the programme, small hand driven tools and implements were distributed by the chief guest and an interactive session was also conducted to know about the problems faced by the farmers in crop management.
