“PGR/Farmer Rights Awareness Camp” organized by ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Srinagar under TSP at remote border village of Zamboor Pattan, Uri, District Baramulla (Jammu & Kashmir) on 8th April, 2021

One day “PGR/Farmer Rights Awareness Camp” was organized by ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station Srinagar at remote and hilly border village of Zamboor Pattan falling in sensitive and strategic area of Uri in District Baramulla (Jammu & Kashmir) on 8th April, 2021. Zamboor Pattan village comprises of seven Panchayat Halqas spread over vast hilly area and is the last village situated near Baaz Border post. More than 150 local tribal Pahari and Gujjar farmers including 32 women attended the camp. Sarpanch, Naib Sarpanch and all the Panchs were present on the occasion. During the camp scientists of the station and from ICAR-IGFRI Regional Station Srinagar interacted with the farmers about importance of local biodiversity in the nutritional and livelihood security of the tribal people residing in the rugged terrains. The need for protection and promotion of local plant genetic resources of maize, rajmash, potatoes and cucurbitaceous vegetables especially under prevalent climatic uncertainties was also highlighted. Sarpanch (Noor Hussain) and Naib Sarpanch (Mohammad Ismail) also spoke on the occasion and highly appreciated ICAR-NBPGR for organizing an awareness programme in their far-flung area. As per their feedback, ICAR-NBPGR is the first such organization to reach their doorsteps in decades and the people of the area were seemingly very happy for this outreach. 150 seed packets of Rajmash landrace and 150 kits of small agricultural implements were distributed among the poor tribal farmers on the occasion. Refreshment was provided to the participant farmers. Face masks were provided to each and everyone as a precautionary measure against COVID-19.

(Source:  Dr Sheikh M Sultan, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station Srinagar)