ANANTNAG, OCTOBER 10: Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Anantnag, SKUAST-Kashmir, in collaboration with the Directorate of Extension, SKUAST-K and PPV&FRA Branch Office, Palampur, organised a one-day Awareness-cum-Training Workshop on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act.
The event, as per an official statement, witnessed enthusiastic participation from a large gathering of progressive farmers, women farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), scientists and departmental officials, reflecting growing awareness about the importance of protecting farmers’ innovations and conserving Kashmir’s rich agricultural biodiversity.
The programme was graced by Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth, Director Extension, SKUAST-K, as Chief Guest, alongside distinguished academicians, senior scientists and officers from various line departments.
In her address, Prof. Raihana Habib Kanth underscored the vital contribution of farming communities in preserving indigenous genetic resources and maintaining agricultural diversity. She emphasised that traditional crop varieties represent not only a valuable biological resource but also the collective wisdom, cultural heritage and resilience of generations of farmers. She called for strengthening awareness, documentation and registration of farmers’ varieties to ensure that their contributions receive due recognition and protection under the law.
Dr. Ishtiyaq A. Khan, Senior Scientist & Head, KVK Anantnag, highlighted the indispensable role of farmers as custodians of traditional agricultural knowledge and valuable genetic resources. He emphasised the need for greater institutional support, scientific documentation and legal recognition of indigenous crop varieties conserved by farming communities over generations.
A major attraction of the programme was the vibrant agricultural exhibition featuring stalls established by the Department of Agriculture, Department of Horticulture, SKUAST-Kashmir and FPOs and agricultural entrepreneurs associated with KVK Anantnag. The exhibition showcased a diverse range of indigenous crop varieties, traditional agricultural produce, locally adapted germplasm, value-added products and entrepreneurial initiatives.
Special emphasis was placed on Kashmir’s traditional rice landraces, including the renowned Mushkbudji aromatic rice, along with maize, horticultural produce and other regionally important crops. The exhibition provided an engaging platform for farmers, scientists and entrepreneurs to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations and highlight the immense potential of local agricultural biodiversity for conservation, value addition and commercial development.
The technical sessions featured insightful deliberations by Dr. Raj Kumar, Technical Consultant, PPV&FRA Branch Office, Palampur, who elaborated on the provisions of the PPV&FR Act, farmers’ rights and procedures for registration of plant varieties.
Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Lone, Professor, DARS Rangreth, SKUAST-K, highlighted the importance of plant genetic resources, farmers’ varieties and community-led conservation in safeguarding agricultural heritage and ensuring future food security.
The gathering was also addressed by Prof. Najeeb R. Sofi, Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Wadura, Shahnawaz Ahmad Shah, Chief Agriculture Officer; and Hilal Ahmad DL SMS Horticulture Anantnag who stressed the significance of institutional collaboration, scientific innovation and farmer-centric approaches for sustainable agricultural development.
