YUMNAM HUIDROM, August 28: A progressive farmer Yumnnam Ranjit of Manipur has been awarded the country’s coveted ‘Plant Genome Savious Farmer Reward 2013’ for conserving seven native rice varieties.
A resident of Yumnam Huidrom village, about 20 km south of Imphal in Manipur’s Imphal west district, Ranjit has been conserving Moirangphou Koknangbi, Tumai Angangbi, Tumai Angouba, Phouren Phoujao, Phougang, Phoungak Phouren Akuppi and Chakhao amubi varieties using system of rice intensification and integrated pest management methods and practiced to cultivate the different varieties as plant protection measures as rice is the world’s most important staple food crop which needs continuous improvement to feed the fast growing population.
The Union Minister of Agriculture, Radha Mohan Singh, conferred the award consisting cash prize of Rs 1.50 lakhs, a citation and memento for his outstanding contribution for conservation and improvement of plant genetic resources during a solemn function in New Delhi on August 24.
Lauding the tireless effort of Ranjit, who become the second North Easterner after Potsangbam Devakanta, the first recipient of Farmer reward from the region, a reception function was held at this beautiful village on Sunday.
In 2012, Devakanta (60), president of All Manipur Trained Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Promoters Consortium (AMAPCON), won the Agriculture ministry reward for showing the way in conserving the biodiversity of the state by farming around 100 traditional varieties of paddy and rare medicinal plants.
According to AMAPCON secretary Dr. RK Ronendro, seeds of around 300 rice varieties were registered at Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers Rights authority and submitted samples of around 100 varieties.
Many prominent personalities in the field of agriculture including the Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University Dr. M Premjit, former Director of state Agriculture department Dr. L Palendra, former Dean, College of Agriculture N Iboton and present Dean JM Laishram and other experts and farmers also attended the day’s gathering.
In his speech, VC Dr. Premjit informed that time has come to introduce individuals such as Devkanta and Ranjit as resource persons while disseminating information relating to new scientific inputs in the agricultural activities of the region.
