"ICAR-NBPGR RS, Phagli Shimla, in collaboration with KVK Moga (Punjab Agricultural University), organized a one-day awareness program on Plant Genetic Resources under the SCSP scheme on 29th February 2024 at KVK, Moga, Punjab. A total of 140 farmers from Puranwala, Masitan, Badhni Kalan, Dunke, Ramuwala, Jhandewala, Nahal, Gholi Khurd, Smadh Bhai, Mari Mustafa, Sadda Singh Wala, Rode, Charik, Langiana Nawan, Raoke Kalan, Panj Grain, Chupkiti, Jaimalwala, Chotian Khurd, Budh Singh Wala, Mandiran Wala, Smalsar, Nidhan Wala, Harie Wala, and Rattian villages participated in the program. Dr. Parminder Kaur, Professor (Home Science), delivered the welcome address to the dignitaries and participants of the program. She encouraged rural women to contribute to family income by adopting subsidiary occupations like handicraft making, dyeing, tailoring, etc. Dr. Kaur also guided women to attend vocational training programs organized by KVK. Dr. Narender Negi (Scientist) sensitized rural men and women regarding horticultural diversification for nutritional security and income generation. He motivated farmers to plant different locally adapted fruit trees for year-round fruits from the backyard. Dr. Mohar Singh, Principal Scientist & Officer In-charge, addressed the gathering on the objective of the program and its role in the upliftment of society. He also delivered a lecture on the role of NBPGR in promoting dietary diversification for a healthy world. Dr. Amandeep Singh Brar, Associate Director, KVK, Moga, highlighted various programs undertaken by KVK for the welfare of the rural masses in district Moga. He urged farmers to participate in training programs, exposure visits, and kisan melas organized by KVK. Dr. Surinder Kumar Kaushik, Principal Scientist & Coordinator of SCSP Scheme ICAR-NBPGR New Delhi, appreciated the efforts of KVK, Moga, for organizing the event in the district. Dr. Kaushik persuaded the beneficiaries to utilize spray pumps and sewing machines to improve their living standards in society. He also shared detailed information regarding the importance of conserving locally available plant genetic resources in the gene bank for future utilization. Dr. Prerna Thakur, the local coordinator of the program, proposed a vote of thanks to the ICAR NBPGR team and beneficiaries for their valuable participation in the program. She further encouraged participants to establish backyard kitchen gardens for nutritional and economic security. In this program, identified beneficiaries were distributed with battery-operated knapsack power sprayers (100 no.), foot-operated sewing machines (40 no.), plastic crates (2 each), and summer season vegetable kits for a total of 140 participants.

                                                            (Source : Dr Narender Negi, ICAR-NBPGR, Regional Station, Shimla)