Training programme on plant genetic resources begins in Jeypore

22 participants from different countries take part in it

Indian culture started from agriculture and Koraput region is proud of the people who were working hard to preserve the traditional varieties of seeds on the face of challenges of modern ones, Damodar Rout, Minister of Agriculture ,Orissa said while inaugurating the international training programme on plant genetic resources and seeds at Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden & Research Centre , Jeypore. 

Emphasising on the need of community-based management of bio-diversity , he said that Koraput had been recognised world over for its rich natural resources and this international event could add more value to it .

A total of 22 participants from Brazil, Ethiopia, France, Jordan, Kenya, Nepal, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, Sudan, Yemen, Zimbabwe and India , were taking part in the training programme, its overall objective was to enhance the participants' capabilities to deal with contemporary issues in the management of genetic resources and seeds, Walter de Boef , global training coordinator, Wageningen International, The Netherlands said. During the 13-day long training programme, the participants will share their own country's experience while interacting with the tribal communities in Kundura block on management of traditional varieties of rice, community seed bank and the way they had improved their local crop varieties, S.V.Ramana, Director, MSSRF said.

Source: The Hindu