Nagaon: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Nagaon organized an awareness and training programme on “Legal Recognition of Farmers’ Rights over Local Traditional and Indigenous Rice Varieties” at its premises on Saturday (Farmers’ Rights over Traditional Rice Varieties).
The programme aimed to create awareness about the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001 and highlight the importance of preserving traditional rice varieties while ensuring legal recognition of farmers’ contributions.
In his welcome address, Head of KVK Nagaon Dr. Bhabesh Chandra Deka welcomed the guests, scientists and farmers and stressed the need to protect traditional crop varieties. Dr. Hiranya Kumar Bora, Chief Scientist of the Regional Research Centre, Shillongani, spoke on the preservation of traditional rice seeds, while retired professor Dr. Pranab Kumar Talukdar discussed the unique characteristics of indigenous rice varieties.
Retired Principal Scientist Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dev Choudhury highlighted the social and geographical influences on traditional rice varieties. Dr. Atul Chandra Sharma, Deputy Registrar under the PPV&FR Authority of the Union Ministry of Agriculture, explained the historical spread of different rice varieties and emphasized the role of farmers in crop variety development.
The programme was moderated by Dr. Animesh Deka, and the vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Chinki Barman. More than a hundred farmers participated in the event. A booklet prepared by the PPV&FR Authority was also released on the occasion.