Plant Genetic Resources Conservation Awareness and Diversity Fair in Arunachal Pradesh

The Plant Genetics Resources Conservation Awareness and Diversity Fair were organized at two places in collaboration with KVK, Balek; KVK, Momomg, Namsai and Directorate of Agriculture at Roing, Lower Dibang Valley district on 7.03.22 and at Momong, district Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh on 9.03.22 respectively under NEH Sub-plan. Over 260 farmers (80% women farmers) including self help groups, Anganwadi workers have attended the programme. Drs. KC Bhatt and RS Rathi, Principal Scientists, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi have explained the aim of organizing such programme to the participants and were made aware about the importance and need for conservation of precious wealth of local landraces, wild economic species, etc. available in northeastern hill region. Chief guests Shri Obang Ngupok, Zila Parishad Chairman, at Roing and Prof. B. Mohan Kumar, Vice Chancellor, Arunachal University of Studies, at Namsai have appreciated the efforts being made by ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi and suggested need for conservation of endangered species like Coptis teeta, Paris polyphylla and traditional varieties of rice, banana, pulses, vegetables, etc. of the state. They also suggested that such important programmes need to be organized in every district of the state so that large number of farmers could be benefitted. The participants were also addressed by Shri Balung Mengu, DAO, Roing; Dr. Deepanjali Deori, Head KVK, Balek, Roing; M. Ninu, DHO, Namsai; Mrs. W Khimhum, CDPD, Namsai; ADO, Namsai and Dr. Debashis Sasmal, Head, KVK, Namsai and appreciated the efforts. An interaction session was also conducted to know about the problems being faced by the farmers in crop management and the farmers were advised to make frequent visit of KVKs for the solution. The local crop diversity brought by the farmers was also displayed during the workshop. While at the end, some small agricultural tools were also distributed among the farmers.