Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Kohima in support of all KVKs of Nagaland organized one day workshop-cum-awareness programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights’ Authority (PPV& FRA) on March 27 at New Village Council Hall Jotsoma.
A press release from KVK Kohima stated that the event aimed to raise awareness about farmers’ right, conservation of crop germplasm and the importance of registering the traditional seeds these farmers have been preserving, including millets, pulses, cereals and horticultural crops and to facilitate legal protection under PPV& FR Acts 2001.
In order to provide effective system for the protection of plant varieties, the rights of farmers and plant breeders and to encourage the development of new varieties of plants, it has been considered necessary to recognize and to protect the rights of the farmers in respect of their contributions made at any time in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resources for the development of new plant varieties.
The inaugural programme was graced by Deputy Commissioner Kohima, B. Henok Buchem, who briefed the farmers about the traditional agricultural practices of Kohima and the prospects of growth in the field of agriculture. He explained about the rich biodiversity of Kohima district and emphasized on conservation of the same.
Additional Director of Agriculture, B. Imti Tzudir, told the farmers about the importance of registering the plant varieties and further encouraged the farmers to register their native varieties of pulses, cereals and other horticultural crops notified under the Act. A word of encouragement was delivered by chairman Jotsoma Village Council Rudolie Nagi.
An exhibition of local plant varieties was also organized during the programme, where local plant varieties from Kiphire, Tuensang, Mokokchung, Mon, Tseminyu, Dimapur and Kohima districts were exhibited and displayed the uniqueness of the varieties.
During the technical session the following lectures were delivered- Farmers Rights under PPV & FRA Act, 2001 by chief technical officer (Genetics & Plant Breeding), KVK Dimapur, Dr. Bendangla Imsong; collection and conservation of native/local crops/ vegetables seed by chief technical officer (Genetics & Plant Breeding) KVK Peren, Dr. Patu Khate Zeliang, and registration of farmers varieties and procedure for registering the crop varieties by scientist (Genetics & Plant Breeding), ICAR NEH Region, Nagaland Centre, Dr. Harendra Verma. Senior scientist & head, KVK Phek, Dr. Sanjeev Singh, and senior scientist & Head, KVK Mokokchung Dr. Keviletsu Khate, chaired and co-chaired the technical session respectively followed by farmer-scientist interaction.
A total of 160 participants consisting of farmers, civil society organization representatives, Senior Scientist & Head, Subject Matter Specialists, Technical Officers of KVKs, and other stakeholders participated in the programme.