ICAR and PPV&FRA held an awareness programme in Medziphema to promote farmers' rights and protect Nagaland's indigenous crop varieties.
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DIMAPUR — Recognising Nagaland's rich agricultural biodiversity and the need to safeguard farmers' traditional knowledge, the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, in collaboration with the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Guwahati, Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Dimapur, and ICAR-National Research Centre (NRC) on Mithun, organised an awareness programme on "Protection of plant varieties and farmers' rights" at Medziphema on Tuesday.
According to an update, the programme brought together scientists, KVK officials, extension personnel, technical staff and farmers from Chümoukedima and Niuland districts.
A total of 109 participants attended the programme, which concluded with an interactive session and an exhibition of various germplasm, reflecting growing interest among farmers and stakeholders in protecting Nagaland's unique crop heritage through legal recognition and registration.
Addressing the gathering as chief guest, Dr. Girish Patil, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun, called upon farmers to actively conserve and register indigenous crop varieties, describing them as invaluable assets for ensuring future food and nutritional security.
Guest of honour Dr. Atul Chandra Sarma, Deputy Registrar, PPV&FRA, Guwahati, highlighted the importance of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act in recognising farmers as custodians of plant genetic resources and safeguarding their rights over traditional crop varieties.
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Earlier, welcoming the participants, Dr. H. Kalita, Head of Regional Centre, ICAR Nagaland Centre, emphasised the need to protect and register farmers' varieties to ensure due recognition and benefits for farming communities.
He noted the immense potential of Nagaland's indigenous landraces for registration under the PPV&FR Act.
Delivering the technical session, Dr. Harendra Verma, Scientist, ICAR Nagaland Centre, explained the procedures and benefits of registering traditional crop varieties and encouraged farmers to document and conserve unique indigenous landraces.
Guest of honour Bodevi Shuya, Director, SAMETI, Medziphema, stressed the importance of stronger collaboration among research institutions, extension agencies and farmers to enhance awareness of farmers' rights.
Moainla Pongen, District Agriculture Officer, Chümoukedima, urged farmers to take advantage of the opportunities available under the PPV&FR Act.