Nagaland Farmers’ awareness programme held in Chümoukedima

The Farmers’ Awareness Programme on “Plant Genetic Resources Conservation” was conducted on November 14 at Angh Hall, Agri Expo Site, Chùmoukedima. The program was organized by the ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi in collaboration with School of Agricultural Sciences, Nagaland University, Medziphema campus. A total of 109 farmers from 4 districts covering 24 villages of Nagaland attended the program.
The program was graced by dignitaries including director, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, Dr. G. P. Singh, PS, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, Dr. Sushil Pandey, chief finance & account officer, ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi, Chaman Singh, senior scientist & OIC, NBPGR regional station, Shillong, Dr. G. D. Harish, joint director, SARS, Department of Agriculture, Mokokchung, Lipok Jamir, and team leader, Nagaland Bio resource Mission, Kohima, Dr. Kruolalie Tsùrho.
Addressing the programme Dr. G. P. Singh highlighted the work of ICAR-NBPGR and shared his interest in collaborating with Nagaland with regard to ex-situ and in-situ conservation of plant genetic resources. He also shared the importance of gene bank and commended that Nagaland state was one of the richest among the seven states in production of organic vegetables and fruits. He concluded with a remark that ICAR motto is farmers first and look forward to interact with the farmers.
A brief remark about the programme was shared by Lipok Jamir. He emphasized about the germplasm conversation and collection. He also shared about the effort made by the department in ex-situ and in-situ germplasm conservation which may hold key to combat the challenges of climate change and health issues in near future.
Dr. Kruolalie Tsùrho, stressed on the importance of medicinal plants. He stated that NBRM [has successfully identified and documented 650 medicinal plants from Nagaland. He also shared about the abundance of medicinal plants found in Nagaland which remain unidentified or lost for which he emphasized strictly on identification, conservation and maintenance of germplasm of medical plants.
The program was chaired by Dept. of Horticulture, SAS, NU, professor Akali Sema, welcome address by Department of Soil Science, SAS, NU professor, A. K. Singh, followed by introduction and felicitation of delegates and farmers. Vote of thanks was delivered by senior scientist & OIC, NBPGR Regional Station, Shillong, Dr. G. D. Harish. The programme concluded with distribution of certificate of participation and agricultural inputs to the farmers and an interaction between the delegates and farmers.