Awareness programme held on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation

A CORRESPONDENT

HAFLONG: A team for scientists from ICAR-NBPGR (National Bureau of Plant Genetics Resources), New Delhi and ICAR-NBPGR (National Bureau of Plant Genetics Resources), Shillong have been exploring and collecting multi-crop germ plasm grown under Jhum cultivation of Dima Hasao district with an objective to conserve its genetic resource for research and its use for future generation.

During their ongoing tour, a one-day TSP (Tribal Sub-Plan) awareness programme on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation for nutritional and livelihood security of tribal community of Dima Hasao district of Assam was conducted by ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Umiam, Meghalaya in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Dima Hasao (under Keshav Smarak Nyas) at Miyungnkhro village, Harangajao Block on Thursday.

In this programme, 100 tribal farmers belonging to the Dimasa tribal community attended the programme. The programme started with registration followed by welcome speech by Parkey Gogoi, SMS (Horticulture). The guest of honour was Somendra Longmailai (chief trustee of Keshav Smarak Nyas).

Dr. RS Rathi, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBPGR, HQs New Delhi delivered a lecture. Dr. Julius Uchoi, Scientist & OIC, ICAR-NBPGR, Umiam gave an awareness lecture on conservation and utilization of under-utilized fruit crops in the north-eastern region. Dr. PS Mehta, Chief Technical Officer, NBPGR, Regional station, Bhowali, Uttrakhand briefed about the importance of local germplasm and its domestication in agriculture under hill agro climate. Rashmita Saikia, Head-in-charge & SMS (Agriculture Extension) KVK, Dima Hasao gave a brief presentation about their station KVK's role towards sustainable income for farmers uplift.

Dr.N Manoranjan Singh, Program Assistant (Veterinary), assisted with distribution of knapsack sprayers to 100 farmers. The enthusiastic farmers also brought their varieties of local crop produce and shared with the scientists.

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