"ICAR-NBPGR in collaboration with CCS HAU College of Agriculture, Bawal, Rewari organized a one day workshop on ‘PGR awareness for SC beneficiaries from district Rewari, Haryana, for improving their livelihood’ at College of Agriculture, Bawal, on 10th January, 2023. More than 300 SC participants including farmers and women from different villages of Rewari district of Haryana were benefitted from the programme. Dr. B.R. Kamboj, Vice-Chancellor, CCS HAU, Hisar, Haryana graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Dr. G.P.Singh, Director, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi presided over the programme. Dr. Naresh Kaushik, Principal, CCS HAU College of Agriculture, Bawal welcomed the Chief Guest, Director, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, Head of Divisions (HODs) from ICAR-NBPGR and SC beneficiary families. Dr. S.K. Kaushik, Nodal Officer, SC-SP Programme, ICAR-NBPGR briefed the gathering about the SC-SP Plan. Dr RK Gautam, Dr PK Singh and Dr Rakesh Singh, HODs interacted with the farmers about various activities related to Plant Genetic Resources management. Director, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi in his presidential address briefed about the National Genebank and importance of conservation of farmers varieties, landraces etc. He also highlighted the importance of such programmes in uplifting the livelihood of participants. Chief Guest, Dr. B.R. Kamboj, Vice-Chancellor, CCS HAU, Hisar emphasized the role of individuals in development of a society. He also informed the gathering about different skill development programmes organized by them and link this programme as next step towards livelihood upliftment of the beneficiaries. Dr. Sandeep Kumar, Pr. Scientist and Dr. Pardeep Kumar, Scientist were also present from Bureau. After interaction with participants, agriculture tools like battery operated Knapsack sprayers, gardening toolkits and other tools, secateurs , grain storage bins, sewing machines, saplings of guava and karonda were distributed among the beneficiaries. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Dharambir Yadav, Director Research, CCS HAU Regional Research Centre, Bawal.

                                                            (Source : Dr Sandeep Kumar Principal Scientist, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi)