ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Ranchi organized one day Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Awareness Workshop cum Biodiversity in Torpa block of Khunti district of Jharkhand

A one day Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Awareness Workshop cum Biodiversity Fair was organized by ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Ranchi on 25.08.2018 in Torpa block of Khunti district of Jharkhand. The workshop conducted under TSP programme and was organized to sensitize tribal farmers about crop genetic resources conserved and evolved by native communities over years in the region. Special emphasis was laid down by experts on fast eroding crop landraces and wild germplasm. Ways and means to conserve these rare treasures were also discussed with participating man and women tribal farmers during the course of the programme. Reference specimens of unique germplasm conserved by the station were centre of attraction among participants.

Shri A. Kumar, Block Development Officer, Torpa graced the occasion as the chief guest and three local gram panchayat Pramukh participated as a special guests in the programme. Over all 100 tribal farmers registered in the programme with dominance of women participants. Welcome address delivered by Dr. Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, Scientist & OIC, ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Ranchi that highlighted overall objective and importance of the programme in the local context. Dr. Arun Kumar, Assistant Professor, Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi interacted with farmers and elaborated role of traditional landraces and wild germplasm in development of improved cultivars across crop in the state. He underscored already eroded landraces of rice in the region famous for their unique taste that now limited to experience of local only. Dr. S. P. Singh, Senior Scientist & In-charge KVK, Khunti further emphasized upon need to conserve unevenly distributed germplasm particularly of pulse and vegetables. He discussed health and ecological impacts of growing pulse and vegetable in the region. At the end of the workshop Shri William from Torpa Rural Development Society, Torpa expressed vote of thanks to distinguished guest and farmers. Seed kits of eight vegetables were distributed among 100 farmers on the occasion. To conduct the programme successfully local support received from Torpa Rural Development Society, Torpa who helped to reach one of the severely marginalized tribal community of the country.

(Source: Dr. Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, OIC, ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Jharkhand)