Workshop on “Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources (PGRs) Towards Doubling Farmers’ Income” (6th December, 2018)

A one day workshop on “Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources (PGRs) Towards Doubling Farmers’ Income” was organized by ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station Ranchi on 06.12.2018. A total of 41 participants from ICAR-RCER Research Centre Ranchi (ICAR-RCER RC Ranchi), ICAR-Indian Institute of Agricultural Biotechnology (ICAR-IIAB), ICAR-Indian Institute of Natural Resins and Gums (ICAR-IINRG), Institute of Forest Productivity, Ranchi Agricultural College, College of Horticulture and Jharkhand Rai University located in Ranchi, Jharkhand have attended this workshop. The workshop was unique of its kind organized first time to provide a plateform for sharing experience of scientific community utilizing plant genetic resources in order to devise ways and means for future plant genetic resource management in the region.
The workshop was inaugurated by the Chief Guest Dr. R. P. Singh, Director (Farm & Seed), Birsa Agriculture University, Ranchi with Dr. K. K. Sharma, Director, ICAR-IINRG, Ranchi, Dr. T. R. Sharma, Director, ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi and Dr. R. S. Pan, Head (InCharge), ICAR-RCER RC Ranchi. Dr. Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, Officer-In- Charge, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station Ranchi welcomed the participants while Dr. Kuldeep Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR , New Delhi gave opening remarks. The guests appreciated efforts of organizer for the event and underscored importance of such scientific dialogue in enhancing utilization of otherwise vast plant genetic resources available in the region. They suggested to organize a series of brain storming meetings with research institutions, universities, agricultural universities and state biodiversity boards in the region and urged ICAR-NBPGR RS Ranchi to coordinate the process. Honorable guests inaugurated a leaf let presenting achievements of ICAR-NBPGR RS Ranchi since 1988 in collection, conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources in the region.
During technical session experts from various ICAR institutes and state agricultural university participated. Dr. Vijay Pal Bhadana from ICAR-IIAB, Ranchi presented a well articulated talk on diversity spectrum and geneology of rice cultivars that highlighted how our native germplasm helped to feed the world. At the same time he raised concern about narrow spectrum diversity being utilized by breeders in cultivar development. During field visit of ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Ranchi, field gene bank of perennial plant germplasm like jackfruit, bael, jamun, tamarind, banana and several other minor fruits was main centre of attraction among participants. Diversity of tamarind fruits at the station highlighted by displaying live fruit samples at a common platform.
All these activities sensitized participants to understand plant genetic resource richness of the region at a more depth with enhanced resolution. Beside, the exercise highlighted collection/ conservation gaps particularly of minor fruits native to the region that will help in precisely formulating future exploration plan. The event concluded by distribution of certificates to the participants followed by vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Shashi Bhushan Choudhary.

(Source: Dr Shashi Bhushan Choudhary, OIC ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Ranchi-834010 )