"District Fazilka, Punjab has quite large number of SC population (>40%). Among various tehsil of Fazilka, Abohar tehsil has >30% SC population, which significantly involved in agricultural work. Due to very limited knowledge of farmers about the plant genetic resources, one-day workshop on PGR awareness was conducted at PAU Regional Research Station, Abohar, Punjab on 22 February 2024 for SC beneficiaries for improving their livelihood. Hundred farmers (men and women) from nearby villages of Abohar were participated and benefited from the programme. Dr A.K. Sangwan, Director, PAU Regional Research Station, Abohar was Chief Guest of the Programme, and Dr Amit Nath, Head Regional Station CIPHET, Abohar, Dr A.K. Ahlawat, Head KVK, Abohar and Shri Sushil Kumar, Administrative Officer, ICAR NBPGR, New Delhi were Special Guest. Dr Anil Kumar, Associate Professor (Horticulture), PAU Regional Research Station welcomed the Chief Guest, Special Guests, officials from ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, and participants. He also shared the cultivation practices of different horticultural crops. Dr Subhash Chander, Scientist (SS) and Coordinator of the Programme briefed the gathering about the SC-SP Programme and ICAR-NBPGR. Dr Pankaj Kannaojia, Scientist (SS) briefed about the importance of National Genebank and importance of conservation of farmer’s varieties, landraces etc. Dr Amit Nath shared the knowledge of small scale processing equipment’s of different horticultural products for increasing the livelihood of the SC community farmers and urged the farmers to visit the ICAR-CIPHET, Abohar for training in processing of horticultural products. Dr A.K. Ahlawat shared the different schemes of KVK for farmers and insisted the farmers for joining various trainings on crop protection, processing of horticultural produce etc at KVK, Abohar. Dr P.K. Arora, Professor (Entomology), PAU RRS, Abohar were also present. Chief Guest, Dr A.K. Sangwan, emphasized the role of individuals in development of a society. He also mentioned various schemes of University such as development of nutritional garden (different horticultural crops) for nutritional security to farmers with less land holding. After interaction with participants, agriculture tools like battery operated Knapsack sprayers, foot sprayer, grain storage bins, plastic crates and saplings of sweet lime and lemon were distributed among the SC beneficiaries. The programme ended with vote of thanks by Dr. Pankaj Kannaujia, Scientist (SS), ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi.

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