ICAR-Agricultural Technology Application Research Institute (ATARI), Zone VI, and Protection of Plant Varieties & Farmers' Rights Authority (PPVFRA), New Delhi in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, held a Regional Sensitization Workshop on the Registration of Farmers' Variety on the 27^th of September, 2024 at Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh. The workshop aimed to promote the identification and registration of indigenous farmers' varieties, ensuring their preservation and legal recognition under the PPVFRA framework.

The event underscored the pivotal role of ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI and KVKs of the region in identifying previously unregistered varieties, focusing on preserving the rich biodiversity in India's agro-climatic zones. A detailed discussion was held to identify regions with high potential for registering such varieties, taking into account the diversity of crops and the traditional knowledge of local farming communities.

Dr. Rajarshi Roy Burman, ADG (AE), ICAR, as Chief Guest, emphasized that north east being one of the hotspots of the biodiversity in the world, KVK must facilitate in registering the farmers’ variety for the conservation of germplasm.

Dr. G. Kadirvel, Director of ICAR ATARI, Zone VI, delivered the welcome address and emphasized the importance of KVKs identifying potential farmers and educating them on the importance of registering farmers’ variety in the North Eastern States.

Sh. D. S. Rajganesh, Legal Advisor, PPVFRA, New Delhi highlighted the need for mapping and registering farmers' varieties across the country, ensuring their preservation and the safeguarding of farmers' rights.

A small exhibition has also been organized on the occasion where the KVKs of the Zone VI displayed the germplasm collected from the farmers for the registration. More than 100 germplasm of different crops has been exhibited for the registration.

The workshop saw participation from key dignitaries, including Dr. M.M. Adhikary, Former Vice Chancellor and Professor, BCKV, Dr. Ranjit Sharma, DEE, CAU (I), Dr. A.K. Tripathi, Former Director, ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI KVK Heads of the zone, scientists from ICAR-ATARI, Zone VI and officials from the line departments.

(Source: ICAR-AATRI, Zone VI, Guwahati)