Itanagar, Feb 18: Krishi Vigyan Kendra Papum Pare organised a training-cum-awareness and exhibition programme on Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) at the conference hall of the Directorate of Agriculture, Naharlagun, on Tuesday.
Altogether 110 farmers, mostly women from SHGs under AsRLM, Papum Pare Borum Block, along with farmers from Kurung Kumey, Upper Subansiri and North Lakhimpur (Assam), attended the programme.
An exhibition showcased traditional germplasm of rice, maize, millet, soybean, yam, mangosteen, colocasia, ginger and chestnut. Resource person Dr Atul Chandra Sharma, Deputy Registrar of PPV&FRA, Guwahati, detailed the registration process and legal framework, while Dr Lenmem Yosung of RGU highlighted the importance of the PPV&FR Act, 2001.
Director of Agriculture Balung Mengu, attending as chief guest, encouraged farmers to register traditional varieties and conserve biodiversity. Prizes for best farmers and exhibits were distributed, and the programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr V Safi of KVK Papum Pare.