Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources of Assam

A two-day workshop on Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources of Assam was organized by ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi on 17-18 September, 2018 at the College of Veterinary Science, AAU, Khanapara. It is of unique kind because it has been organized for the first time to strengthen the linkage between different stakeholders enabling on-farm management of crop diversity, ex situ conservation of germplasm, and to explore the feasibility of establishing community seed bank. This workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. BN Saikia, Dean, College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara. Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, Dr. AK Tripathi, Director, ICAR-ATARI and Shri Bhagwan Bharali, Joint Director of Agriculture, Assam have graced the occasion. Different officials from State Department of Agriculture and Horticulture, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVKs), progressive farmers from different districts of Assam and NGOs have attended the workshop. Involvement of these officials can play important role in augmentation of genetic resources from far-flung areas/ remote and inaccessible pockets. Presently, significant number of landraces of indigenous crops are in the verge of extinction from these areas. This has necessitated the need to survey un-explored areas for collection of such valuable resources, before these lost forever. Dr. SP Ahlawat, Head, Division of Plant Exploration and Germplasm Collection, Drs. KC Bhatt, K Pradheep and RS Rathi, GD Harish, Subarna Hajong and OP Dhariwal were among the organizers from ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi.

(Source: Dr. Sudhir Pal Ahlawat, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi)