Farmers from Goa conferred with Plant Genome Saviour Awards
Farmers from Goa conferred with Plant Genome Saviour Awards
Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, New Delhi has bestowed Plant Genome Saviour Community Award upon Khola/Canacona Chilli Cultivators Group, South Goa. The Plant Genome Savior Community Award is conferred by Govt. of India through PPV&FRA under the provision of section 45 of PPV&FR Act, 2001. The Khola community was honoured for their contribution in conservation and preservation of Khola Chillies through generations. The villagers in the Khola village are actively involved in conservation of the traditional local variety of Chilli known as Khola / Canacona Chilli(s), along with the other local tuber crops such as Kate Kananga, Zad kananga etc. and local vegetables. This chilli has brilliant red colour with medium pungency. Apart from this honour, Sri. Prabhakar Keny, a progressive farmer from Cuncolim South Goa has also been awarded 'Farmers Recognition Reward'. Shri Keny is a conserver of Cashew, Coconut, Arecanut, Mango, and Jackfruit along with spice/condiment crops such as Black pepper, Nutmeg and Vanilla. Two promising local selection in Cashew viz. Balli- 2 and KN – 2/98 are originally located from his farm. He has also developed a unique technique for the propagation of cashew, mango, nutmeg and jackfruit.
The awards were conferred by Sri. Radha Mohan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, Govt. of India on 21st December, 2016 in B.P. Pal Auditorium, Pusa, New Delhi. The occasion was also graced by Dr. T. Mohapatra, Secretary, DARE and DG, ICAR; Shri S.K. Pattanaik, Secretary, DoAC&FW; Dr. Ashok Dalwai, Additional Secretary, DoAC&FW; Shri R.K.Singh, Jt. Secretary (Seeds), DoAC&FW, Dr. R.R. Hanchinal, Chairperson, and Dr. R.C Agrawal, Registrar General, PPV &FR Authority, New Delhi, Vice Chancellors; Deputy Director Generals of ICAR, ADGs, Director, Representative of Embassies, farmers besides other officials from the PPV &FR Authority, New Delhi. The PGSC awards are first of its kind conferred upon the farming community in the state of Goa and the related scientific works and application process were accomplished under the technical guidance of ICAR-CCARI, Ela, Old Goa.