Awareness programme on “Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights” organized in ICAR Umiam
An awareness programme on “Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights” was organized at ICAR Research Complex, Umiam on 10th April, 2015 in collaboration with PPV&FRA, Government of India New Delhi. The objective of the programme was to sensitize the farmers about their rights and protection acts and discuss the issues and perspectives of PPV&FRA for the agricultural development in North East region.
Welcoming the gatherings Dr A.K Tripathi, I/C ZPD, Zone III and Head, Division of Social Sciences emphasized on the importance of protection of plant varieties and the farmers’ rights. He said that the North East India is rich in wide biodiversity and it is the need of the time to protect the diversified indigenous germplasms of the region with the help of farmers in which KVK can play pivotal role.
Dr. R.C Agrawal, Registrar General, PPV & FRA, Govt. of India, New Delhi highly appreciated the remarkable contribution of the institute towards the protection of plant varieties and the farmers’ rights in NEH region. He also explained the various technicalities of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act (PPV&FRA) to the farmers, in detail and advised the scientists to be pro-active in guiding the farmers to avail the benefit of this PPV&FRA.
The Chief Guest Shri R.K Mishra, Additional Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, GOI, New Delhi, in his inaugural address said that “Northeast is a paradise and a treasure trove of numerous germplasms of different crops which are still in unexplored condition. He called upon the scientists that it is our moral duty to protect the region. Lauding the role of ICAR and its good network over the region, he suggested ICAR to take the lead role to develop awareness among different stakeholders on protection of plant varieties and the farmers’ rights. He expressed his intention to sensitize farmers in every corner of North East region of the country for their ultimate benefit through PPV&FRA.
Chairing over the programme, Dr. S. V. Ngachan, Director of the Institute said that the present century has assigned us with lot many responsibilities and farmers’ protection is one of our major duties for the development of North East agriculture. Highlighting some of the precious indigenous germplasms of north eastern region, he told that PPV&FRA is the first of its kind of farmers’ act that empowers the farmers to protect their rights. Expressing happiness over the progress of the work in the region, he suggested the PPV&FR Authority to give emphasis on registration of medicinal and aromatic plants under PPV&FRA that are available in plenty in NEH region and advised to develop awareness through circulation of literatures in local languages and by harnessing the facilities of KIRAN website of the institute.
Later, a MoU was signed between ka synjuk ki hima arliang-wah umiam Mawphlang welfare society, Mawphlang Meghalaya, and ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region to commercially produce and market the Pig Bristle Technology developed by Dr .G. Kadirvel, Senior Scientist, Animal Production Division, ICAR RC NEH.
Extending vote of thanks, Dr. A. C. Sarma, Deputy Registrar, PPV&FRA, Guwahati spelt out the progress of work under PPV&FRA in NEH region. The inaugural programme was followed by a Scientists- Farmers’ meet on various issues related to the farmers. Nearly 60 farmers from different region of Meghalaya along with more than 80 scientists from different institutes namely ICAR Research Complex, Umiam; NBPGR Regional Station, Shillong; CPRS, Shillong; ZPD (Zone III), Umiam ; CPGS, CAU, Umiam and KVKs of the state attended the programme. The programme ended with the field visits of the farmers to NBPGR Regional Station and Plant Breeding Section of the institute. The whole programme was coordinated by Dr. A.K. Mohanty , Pr. Scientist and Dr. A. Roy, Scientist, Division of Social Science, ICAR, Umiam.
