ICAR-NBPGR organises awareness programme at Porba

DIMAPUR — An awareness programme on ‘Plant genetic resources conservation and biodiversity fair’ was organised under the North Eastern Hill (NEH) Sub-Plan by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi, in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Phek on Momday at Porba.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Singh, senior scientist and head, briefed on plant genetic resources and the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act on the occasion, according to an update.

The resource person, Dr. D P Semwal, principal scientist from ICAR-NBPGR, spoke on the importance of plant genetic resource conservation and encouraged the farmers to conserve the indigenous germplasm.

Dr. Soyimchiten Longkumer, scientist at ICAR-NBPGR elaborated on the horticultural resources of Nagaland and Dr. Hannah K Asangla, chief technical officer (CTO) (Agronomy) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Phek, presented on the importance of community seed banks.

Dr. T Esther Longkumer, CTO (Soil Science) at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Phek, highlighted recent agricultural technologies and also briefed about the potential crops and enterprises of the district.

The programme was followed by an interactive session, and all farmers received various farming inputs through the NEH Sub-Plan.

An exhibition of plant biodiversity was also displayed by the farmers. Altogether, 100 farmers from K. Basa, Chozuba, Phek, Zelome, Upper Khomi, Pfutseromi, Porba, and Khezakeno villages participated in the programme.