Hon’ble Secretary, DARE & DG, ICAR, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra visited ICAR-NBPGR on 31 March, 2016

Hon’ble Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR, Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, visited ICAR- National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi on 31 March, 2016. He addressed the scientists and the staff of ICAR-NBPGR. 

Dr.  Mohapatra was accompanied by Dr. J.S. Sandhu, DDG (Crop Science), ICAR and Dr. J. S. Chauhan, ADG (Seed), ICAR.  At the outset, Dr. KC Bansal, Director, NBPGR welcomed the DG and other dignitaries and gave a brief presentation on the institute’s activities and achievements. 

Dr. Mohapatra gave an inspirational message to all to work with sincerity, honesty and determination. In his address, he mentioned that ICAR-NBPGR is one of the best Institutes of ICAR with a mandate to conserve the germplasm for posterity. Keeping in view the importance of the NBPGR’s activities, he assured continued support to the Bureau. He was of the opinion that Bureau should redesign the exploration activities based on geo-referencing and gap analyses so that collections focus on acquiring what has not been collected so far and on traits for climate resilience. He stressed on the need for evaluation to identify trait-specific germplasm including the biochemical analysis as priority activity which may be further strengthened in collaboration with the crop-based institutes.

The DG advised that Plant Quarantine may be given new dimensions to work on diagnostics for identification of new pest intercepts, to monitor dynamics of pest variants in plant populations and management of exotic pests. 

Dr. Mohapatra stressed on the need to follow established, scientifically and legally valid practices in DNA fingerprinting and cultivar identification. He underlined the need to further strengthen the existing set up at NBPGR by establishing a referral and service facility for DNA fingerprinting with full funding support at the national level so that this serves the need of the nation and the region.

The DG ICAR appreciated the efforts and achievements of all the earlier and the present Director and staff of the Bureau in taking it to greater heights. He greeted the gathering and sought their support and cooperation in ICAR’s endeavours towards nation building.

Dr. Mohapatra also at this occasion released a publication “Utilization of ex situ collections and climate analogues for enhancing adaptive capacity to climate change”, which was the outcome of a CCAFS funded project implemented by NBPGR during 2011-2015. The project geo-referenced more than 60 thousand accessions belonging to ten crop species. A total of 2293 accessions were designated as pre-adapted to changing climate and 9701 locations were identified as vulnerable. Explorations to the predicted areas resulted in collection of 56 germplasm accessions from 42 villages.