ICAR-NBGPR, Regional Station, Akola organized a Workshop cum Awareness programme under Tribal Sub-Plan on Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Health and Nutritional Security

A Workshop cum Awareness programme under Tribal Sub-Plan on “Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources for Health and Nutritional Security” was organized at tribal Vil: Malkapur, Tal: Chikhaldara, Dist: Amravati, Maharashtra State on 27th March 2021. It was organized with the local support from Gram Panchayat, Somwar Kheda and Jeevan Vikas Sanstha, Paratwada. A total of 165 participants comprising tribal farmers and organizers were part of the programme. Shri. Patiram Selukar, Police Patil, Malkapur Village was the chief guest of the programme. Dr. Dinesh Chand, OIC, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Akola Chaired the programme. Smt. Jasmai Thakre, Sarpanch, Somwar Kheda; Rev. Fr. Bipin, In-charge, Malkapur Center of Jeevan Vikas Sanstha, Paratwada and Sh. Narendra Shingane, Director, SHINKA Farmers Producer Company, Chincholi were the guests of honour. Dr. Sunil S. Gomashe, Sr. Scientist, ICAR-NBPGR, RS, Akola coordinated the event and highlighted the purpose of the workshop and programme. From NGO Jeevan Vikas Santha local co-ordinator Shri. Suresh Jhamalkar co-ordinated distribution of kits. The tribal farmers were upraised on importance of conserving the valuable plant genetic resources in their region. Dr. Dinesh Chand gave an overview of ICAR-NBPGR in conserving PGR and stressed on need of diversification in farming system by inclusion of millets, minor pulses, oil seeds and other potential crops. He also requested farmers to develop community seed bank for the benefit of tribal community and he assured support from the ICAR-NBPGR. Two extension folders on nutritional benefits and improved cultivation practices of Linseed and Niger crops were released during the programme. All the guests of honour in their address urged the tribal community to continue their valuable efforts in conserving native plant genetic resources which have high nutritional and medicinal value. Shri. Patiram Selukar and Rev. Fr. Bipin expressed thanks to ICAR-NBPGR for organizing the programme in their village and requested farmers to join their hands together in conserving and protecting valuable traditional seeds. Farmers exhibited the seeds and live samples at the event. ICAR-NBPGR also displayed the diversity collected in millets, oilseeds, pulses and potential crops. Out of 150 farmer beneficiaries, only 30 farmers were allowed to attend the programme due to prevailing Covid19 control guidelines. For rest of the farmers (120) we visited the respective villages to disseminate the information. A kit consisting of Lemon seedlings, Improved varieties vegetables seed packets, Trichoderma viridae bio-fungicide and Plastic Ghamela were distributed to 150 beneficiary tribal farmers from Somwarkheda, Malkapur, Kulangana Kh, Kulangana Bk, Mozari and Vastapur. Finally Dr. Sunil Gomashe gave information on method to use Trichoderma viridae Bio-fungicide and he also proposed the vote of thanks and urged the tribal farmers to plant the lemon seedlings and vegetable seeds for their health and nutrition security.

(Source:  Dr Dinesh Chand, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station Akola)