Fifth Plant Genome Saviour Community Award (2011-12), Farmer Reward and Recognitions (2012) function 22 May, 2013 A.P.Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi

Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers’ Rights Authority in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture, organised the 5th Plant Genome Savior Community Awards on the 22nd of May, 2013 at A.P.Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi. The Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Sh. Tariq Anwar presented the awards, rewards and recognition certificates to the farming communities / farmers for their dedicated and untiring efforts in the conservation, management and improvement of plant genetic resources, particularly in areas identified as agro-biodiversity hotspots.

Four Farming Communities were conferred the Plant Genome Saviour Community Award consisting of Rs. Ten Lakh in cash, citation and memento, ten farmers were conferred the Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Reward of Rs. One Lakh each, citation and memento and the Plant Genome Saviour Farmer

Recognition certificate was presented to fifteen farmers.

Three publications were released during the awards function. “Cultivated Plants and Their Wild Relatives in India – An Inventory”

compiled by Dr. A K Singh, Dr. R S Rana, Dr. Bhag Mal, Dr. Brahma Singh and Dr. R C Agrawal was released by Dr. R.S. Paroda, Chairman, Haryana Kisan Ayog and Chairman, TAAS. This ‘Inventory’ lists scientific names of 811 cultivated plants and their 902 genetically close wild relatives.

“Compendium of Varieties Registered Under PPV&FR ACT 2001 (Volume: 01, 2009-2012)” was released by Sh. Avinash Srivastava, Additional Secretary, Agriculture and Cooperation. The compendium contains brief description along with essential characters of 545 varieties registered upto December 2012 under the PPV&FR Act, 2001.

“DUS Characterisation of Rice Varieties” published by Dr Subba Rao and others, Directorate of Rice Research was released by Sh. Atanu Purkayastha, Joint Secretary, Seeds

Sh. Atanu Purkayastha also presented eight certificates of registration to the farmers.

The awards function was graced by a galaxy of dignitaries including Dr. Nagarajan and Dr. P.L. Gautam, former Chairpersons, PPV&FR Authority; Vice Chancellors (Dr.B.S. Dhillon, Vice Chancellor, PAU, Dr. S.K. Sharma, Vice Chancellor, HPKVV, Palampur, Dr. Gill VC, MPUAT, Udaipur, Dr. S.A. Patil, Chairman, Karnatak Krishi Mission), representatives of DAC, DDGs Dr. K.D. Kokate, Dr. M.M. Pandey, Directors, ADGs, Project Directors and Project Coordinators; representatives from the embassy, CG centres, UN

organizations (UNDP, FAO), foreign delegates from the Netherlands; members of the Authority, farmers, farm women and media persons from Press Information Bureau, All India Radio, Doordarshan and correspondents. An exhibition, consisting of genetic resources conserved by the awardees was also organised at the atrium of the symposium Hall. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Sh. Tariq Anwar, who interacted with the farmers and expressed keen interest in the activities undertaken by the farmers / farming community.

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Awardees

Plant Genome Savior Community Award 2011-12

(Rs. 10 lakh, Citation / Certificate, Memento) A.P.Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, New Delhi // 22 May, 2013

1

Seed Saver Farmers Group in Jawahar Block, Thane Distt., Pune, Maharashtra - conservation and revival of landraces of Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, Vegetables and Fruits in tribal blocks. The group has been successful in reviving various landraces in paddy, finger millet, proso millet and other crops. The group has used innovative methods of seed treatment, seed storage, pest and disease management etc. The group has also conserved rice landraces having drought resistance, resistance to water logging, aromatic and medicinal value

2

Sanjeevini Rural Development Society, Dumbriguda Mandal, Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh - Landraces of various crops of cereals, millets, small millets, oilseeds, pulses and vegetables have been conserved in these areas. It covers more than 5000 acres of land including 2000 acres of Poduland is being covered by paddy, ragi, pulses, corn and vegetables. The society is also managing 33 grain banks for storage of food grains of the traditional varieties to ensure availability during drought periods

3

Deepaoli Women’s Self Help Group, Thiruvannamalai, Tamil Nadu - cultivation of agricultural crops little millet (locally known as samai), cumbu, ragi, paddy and horse gram; horticultural crops like mango, custard apple, jack fruit and tamarind. Pudupattu village is a region with rich biodiversity of millets. About twenty land races of little millet are being conserved in the region e.g., Vellan Chittan Samai, Perum Samai, Pudur Nattu Samai, Chittan Samai, Perun Chittan Samai and Kallathoor Samai etc. Besides little millet, unique types of ragi (Vellai poo ragi) and cumbu (Pudu pattu type) are also conserved and cultivated in the region

4

Akampadam Chimpachala Punchakkadu Padasekhara Samithi representing Rice Farming Communities, Palakkad, Kerala - conservation of traditional varieties of rice which are resistant/ tolerant to major biotic and abiotic stresses and are used as donor of genes in global rice programmes. These communities are also involved in the Participatory Rice Improvement Programmes of Kerala Agricultural University and contributed to the development and release of two high yielding varieties viz, Kunjukunju Varna and Kunjukunju Priya selected from Kunjukunju. They also have developed special systems of cultivation like Kootumundakan, Karinkora, Fringe cropping etc

Plant Genome Savior Farmer Rewards 2012 (Rs.1 lakh, Citation/Certificate, Memento) A.P.Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, New Delhi // 22 May, 2013

1

Sh. P. Devakanta, Imphal , Manipur - conservation of local varieties of rice viz. Kumbi, Changlei, Moirang Phou Yenthik, Phoudum, Phourenmubi, Phoungang and Taothabi. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of local rice varieties and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

2

Sh. Maha Veer Singh Arya, Churu, Rajasthan - conservation of wheat, mustard, radish, pearl millet and cluster bean varieties. He has developed wheat varieties viz Kishan Kranti, Vardan Pragati and Mahan. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above mentioned crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

3

Shri N. Vasavan, Kannur, Kerala - conservation of 30 varieties of cashew, 4 areca nut, 2 black pepper, 10 coconut, 20 jack fruit and 7 medicinal plants. He also developed innovative method for controlling bug in cashew; has developed low cost branch pruner. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of plantation crops and spices and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

4

Shri Purnanand Venkatesh Bhat, Uttar Kannada, Karnataka - conservation of local landraces of nutmeg, pepper, areca nut, coconut and turmeric. He also developed various innovation methods of conservation of monoecious, bi-sexual plant at seedling stage. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above mentioned varieties and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of land races and farmers’ varieties

5

Shri Jai Prakash Singh, Jhakini, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - conservation of landraces of wheat, paddy, pigeon pea, kidney bean, mustard and wood apple, The farmer has developed a wheat variety JP 8661. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above mentioned crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

6

Sri Pravat Ranjan Dey, Panpara, Nadia, West Bengal - conservation of sweet, scented mango variety Sujata and distributing its planting materials among 60 farmers. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of scented mango variety and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation

7

Ushagram Trust, Bimagar, Nadia, West Bengal - conservation of 11 varieties of Rice viz. Radhatilak, Gobindabhog, Megi and 52 medicinal plants. She is doing a commendable work for conservation of rice and medicinal plants and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

8

Shri Chandra Shekhar Singh, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh - Engaged in the conservation of Paddy varieties-Khushboo 1-S and Virjan (Red Rice). He is doing a commendable work of conservation of Paddy and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of farmers’ varieties.

9

Shri Ciby George Kallingal, Pattikkad, Thrissur, Kerala - conservation of 4 landraces of Coconut, 2 Areca nut, 11 Nutmeg, 4 Pepper, 5 Mango and 2 Jack fruit. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above mentioned crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties.

10

Mr. Narendra Singh Sipani, Mandsour, Madhya Pradesh - conservation of maize, soybean, pigeon pea and wheat varieties. He developed wheat varieties viz. Waman, Dronacharya; maize varieties viz. Amrit, Star 2001; soybean varieties viz. Kuber, Chamatkar; pigeonpea varieties viz. Shivna, Shipra. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above mentioned varieties and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

Plant Genome Savior Farmer Recognition 2012 (Citation, Memento)

A.P.Shinde Symposium Hall, NASC Complex, DPS Marg, New Delhi // 22 May, 2013

1 Mr. Roshan Lal Sharma, Mandi, Himachal Pradesh - conservation of cereals, oilseeds, vegetables, fruit plants, medicinal plants and Agroforestry. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of above said crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

2 Shri Sandeep Brahm Bhatt, Kalol, Gandhinagar, Gujarat -

conservation of khairi, kanghi, salai guggal, gudhal, ratti, kalihari and kaknasa. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of above said crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

3 Shri Shiv Nath Yadav, Kondagaun, Chattishgarh - development

and conservation of rice varieties viz. Shiv Dharohar –1 and Shiv Dharohar –2. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of paddy and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

4 Shri Subash Chander Misra, Bhogpur, Jalandhar , Punjab - conservation of Max Barlett Red variety of pear. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of pear and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

5 Shri Mavanji Ganpat Pawar, Thane, Maharashtra --

conservation of paddy, finger millet, proso millet, local vegetables and forest species. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of above said crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

6 Shri Shankar Langati, Belgaum, Karnataka - conservation of

varieties of rice, vegetables, millets and pulses. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of above mentioned crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of land races and farmers’ varieties

7 Shri Jitul Saikia, Lakhimpur, Assam - conservation of 12

landraces of Muga silkworm host plants, its different species like Soom, Soalu, Mezankari, Dighloti, Gondhsorai and Patitiunda and their wild relatives. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above mentioned species and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

8 Shri Muobatsinh Mamuji Sindhal, Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat - conservation of Guggal. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of Guggal and spreading awareness among farmers about conservation of medicinal plants, landraces and farmers’ varieties

9 Shri Tulsi Das Sav, Mahasamund, Chattisgarh - conservation and production of typical varieties of Banana, Mango, Papaya, Ginger and Turmeric with higher productivity and disease resistance. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of above said crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

10 Shri Sumanta Misra, Jalpaiguri, West Bengal - conservation and development of chilli (Golden pasha and Akashu), lime (kagzi), pointed gourd (Parwal), guava, cotton and pulses. He is doing a commendable work of conservation of above mentioned crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

11 Shri Syed Ghani Khan, Kiragavalu, Mandya, Karnataka - conservation of mango varieties and using traditional method of cultivation. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of mango and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

12 Shri Sunil Mahadu Kamadi, Dengachimeth, Thane, Maharashtra - conservation and development of paddy variety Ashwani; finger millet variety Dasarbendri; proso-millet variety Dudhmogra; varieties in Black gram, Pigeon pea, Niger and Sorghum. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of above said crops and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

13 Shri Sajeevan Kavumkara, Ummanchira, Kannur, Kerala - development of food diversity centre, farm school and conservation of wild leafy species (edible) for food security. He is doing a commendable work of spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties

14 Shri Manik Saikia, Khoga, Lakhimpur, Assam - conservation of rice variety- Negheri Bao. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of deep water and low lying rice varieties and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of land races and farmers’ varieties

15 Shri Suren Bora, Azad, Lakhimpur, Assam - conservation and development of Sali rice variety Solpona including farmers’ varieties viz. Borjahinga, Biroi and Jurai Khowa. He is doing a commendable work for conservation of paddy and spreading awareness among farmers about agro-biodiversity and conservation of landraces and farmers’ varieties