"District Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan has quite large number of SC population (>27%). Among various tehsil of Sri Ganganagar, Sri Karanpur tehsil has almost 50% SC population, which significantly involved in agriculture and other non-agricultural labour work. Due to very limited knowledge of farmers about the plant genetic resources, one-day workshop on PGR awareness was conducted at Adaptive Trial Centre (ATC), State Agriculture Department, Sri Karanpur on 20-02-2024 for SC beneficiaries for improving their livelihood’. More than 100 farmers and women/girls from Sri Karanpur tehsil and nearby villages were participated and benefited from the programme. Shri S.K. Gajamoti, Chief Administration Officer (SG), ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi was Chief Guest of the programme. Dr Surendra Singh, Deputy Director, ATC (local coordinator) welcomed the Chief Guest, officials from ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, Team of Ashra Charitable Trust (running Tailoring centre) and participants. Dr Subhash Chander, Scientist (SS) and Coordinator of the programme briefed the gathering about the SC-SP Programme and ICAR-NBPGR. Dr Gowthami R. Scientist (SS) briefed about the importance of National Genebank and importance of conservation of farmer’s varieties, landraces etc. Dr Surendra Singh informed about the functioning (Trail for approval of the variety of Agriculture University for release) of their ATC Agriculture department and assured the farmers about any kind of help in relation to horticulture and crop protection. Chief Guest, Shri S.K. Gajamoti, mentioned that individual’s behavior and positive thinking can develop a robust competent society. He also interacted with participants for development programme to be organized in the area for further enhancing their livelihood. After interaction with participants, agriculture tools like battery operated Knapsack sprayers, gardening tool kits, grain storage bins, sewing machines, plastic crates and saplings of kinnow were distributed among the beneficiaries. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Balwan Singh, ARO (Agronomy), ATC, Sri Karanpur.

                                                            (Source : Dr. Subhash Chander, ICAR-NBPGR)