The ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi and KVK, Alirajpur have jointly organised the “Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Awareness and Diversity Fair” at KVK, Alirajpur on 8th October 2021 under the Tribal Subplan scheme. Alirajpur district of Madhya Pradesh is dominated by the tribal communities and agriculture is their major source of livelihood. Hundred (100) tribal farmers of >30 villages from three blocks of the district have attended the programme. Sh. OP Dhariwal, ICAR-NBPGR, welcomed the participating farmers and resources persons. He explained about the activities of NBPGR and its role in conservation of the plant wealth of agricultural use in the country. Sh. Rajkumar Meena, PGT, Navodaya Vidhyalaya, Alirajpur, speak on the importance of traditional practices, organic farming, unique germplasm of the district like ‘Noor-Janhan” mango and others of the area. Sh. Tilak Singh, Principal, Navodaya Vidhyalaya, Alirajpur, told about local medicinal plants and their uses in curing the health related problems, as well as their potential in livelihood support through cultivation. Mr. Kamlesh Rajat, official of Development Support Centre (NGO), Alirajpur speak on doubling the farmers income, reducing input costs, problems of farmers and initiatives taken by his NGO and government departments to address them.

Dr. SP Ahlawat, Head, Plant Exploration Division, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, speak on the importance and need for conservation through cultivation of the farmers varieties, traditional landraces; their role in nutritional security and resilience to changing climate. He also told about the awards given by the PPV&FRA to custodian farmers and benefits of Community Seed Bank”. Dr. RK Yadav, Head, KVK. Alirajpur told about different farmer verities , crops and breeds available the region and initiatives taken by the KVK and agriculture department in supporting their conservation, cultivation and use. An exhibition displaying the traditional varieties of crops like maize, rice, wheat, black gram, green gram, chickpea, pigeonpea, horsegram, pearlmillet, sorghum, foxtail millet, little millet, groundnut and vegetables etc. cultivated in the district were brought by the majority of the farmers and displayed. Ten (10) custodian farmers brought maximum number of farmer varieties/landraces, diversity, were awarded with prize. Inputs (Sprayer pump) were given to the beneficiary farmers. The farmers lauded the efforts of the NBPGR and KVK for enhancing their knowledge, reaching them in such a remote areas and inviting them in this programme. The programme ended with vote of thanks given by Dr. Mukesh Benal, Programme Assistant, KVK, Alirajpur.

(Source:  NBPGR, New Delhi & KVK Alirajpur)