Nagaland Conference on harnessing genetic resources for food security

Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus, in collaboration with ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR-NRCM), Medziphema, organized a national conference on “Harnessing Genetic Resources for Food Security: Innovations in Conservation and Utilization for Sustainable Crop and Livestock Improvement in the Northeast Region”, on November 17 and 18.
Speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural session, NU vice-chancellor, professor Jagadish K. Patnaik emphasized the timeliness of the theme, noting that food insufficiency in the region is closely tied to changing lifestyles, fragile livelihoods, and limited support to farm and food sectors. He underscored the need for ensuring both food security and food safety, warning that violations of safety standards threaten human health as well as environmental sustainability. Stressing the importance of research on genetic resources, he said conservation strategies and innovative use of indigenous crops and livestock are vital for building regional resilience.
Director of ICAR–NRCM, Dr. Girish Patil S, highlighted that Nagaland is home to 98% of the world’s Mithun population, entirely found in Northeast India. With Mithun numbers declining, he called for collaborative conservation efforts to protect this valuable genetic resource. He noted that the Northeast, part of four global biodiversity hotspots in India remains a mega-diverse region where traditional food practices showcased in festivals like Hornbill reflect rich but underutilized biological diversity. Pointing to rising temperatures and predicted micro-climatic changes, he stressed the urgency of strengthening in situ conservation.
Pro vice-chancellor of NU’s Medziphema campus, professor Dipak Sinha, remarked that the conference was truly multidisciplinary, integrating diverse fields to address the theme of harnessing genetic resources for food security. He said such discussions are essential for fostering innovative approaches to sustainable improvement of crops and livestock in the region.
The event brought together leading scientists, researchers, academicians, and policymakers to deliberate on innovative strategies for the conservation and utilization of genetic resources to enhance food and nutritional security in the region and had the support and guidance of local advisors from 11 departments of the School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema Campus.
Distinguished guests at the conference included former IIAB Ranchi Director Dr. A. Pattanayak; Dr. Aditya Pratap, PC, AICRP on Kharif Pulses, IIOR Kanpur; and AAU chief scientist, Dr. H. K. Bora, among others.
During the valedictory session, Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences, professor Pauline Alila, served as chief guest. She emphasized that rural communities already possess rich traditional knowledge and time-tested agricultural techniques, advocating for the integration of modern scientific advancements with indigenous wisdom to strengthen sustainable farming. She called for conserving and improving traditional seed and animal varieties and helping farmers adapt to climate change through collaborative efforts. According to her, farmers’ practices, refined over generations, remain a strong foundation for future agricultural progress.
The event covered six broad themes and recorded approximately 185 registrations, reflecting strong regional interest in addressing food and nutritional security through conservation of genetic resources.