Awareness cum training programme of Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers' Rights Act, 2001
Awareness Training Programme of Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmer’s Rights Act, 2001
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (ICAR) Old Goa conducted an Awareness Training Programme of Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmer’s Rights Act, 2001 on 26th March, 2014 at its campus located at Old Goa.
Mr. Neeraj Semwal (IAS) Secretary to Hon’ble Governor of Goa was the Chief Guest for the function who complimented KVK & ICAR for organizing this important event. He highlighted the salient features of the Act which safeguards the interest of Plant Breeders and farmers in conserving the valuable varieties and encourage the development of new varieties. It protects the right of the farmers in respect of their contribution made at any time in conserving, improving and making available plant genetic resource, protect plant breeders rights and facilitate growth of seed industries.
He further mentioned about the important and useful role played by ICAR scientists and KVK officials in effectively generating various agricultural technologies and transferring them to farmers over last few decades. He mentioned that the role of agriculture knowledge and information along with power of communication technology it would be possible to disseminate the technological achievements with the concept of scientific farming to raise the standard of agricultural growth in state. Emphasizing the point that the government is sensitive to agriculture in the state which has the highest subsidy component for agriculture and animal husbandry as compared to the whole country. He complemented the KVK and ICAR scientists for arranging such programmes for the benefit of the farming community.
In his presidential address Dr. N P Singh, Director, ICAR Research Complex for Goa gave an insight of the provision of PPV & FRA, 2001 and said that the awareness programme is organized with an object to protect the rights of farmers who are involved in the conservation of valuable germ plasm/varieties/races of plant so that the farmers as well as breeders get protection against the variety from becoming extinct Referring to the state of Goa.
Dr. N P Singh also mentioned that the rich biodiversity of plant varieties in the state with crop like bhendi, brinjal (taliegao & Agascaim), wal (long bean), 50 varieties of mangoes, sweet potato, suran (elephant foot), chillies, cardoz malcorad, ridge gourd, snake gourd and other biodiversity of vegetable and fruits. He advised the participants to take full advantage of the training programme and register their names for inclusion in the protection of plant varieties.
At the outset, Mr. V Y Gaonkar PC I/C, KVK welcomed the dignitaries and the farmers from six villages who participated. Kits containing vegetable seeds were distributed during the occasion and a folder on Training Compendium on PPV & FRA, 2001 was released at the hands of the chief guest Mr. Neeraj Semwal on the occasion.
Mr. H R Prabhudesai, SMS (Agronomy) compered the function and later proposed vote of thanks. Dr. A R Desai, Sr. Scientist (Hort.) and Dr. P Thangam, Sr. Scientist (Hort.) delivered lecture during technical session with interactions followed by a field visit. About 150 farmers participated in the event.