Bengaluru, 21 October (HS): A Farmers' interaction

meet was organised at ICAR IIHR – Experimental Farm at Hirehalli, Tumakuru on

Monday. The Chief Guest of the event, Dr T. Mohapatra, Chairperson,

Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, attended the

meeting. In his keynote address, he emphasized the significance of the Protection of Plant Varieties and

Farmers’ Rights and compared it to a patent for their plant varieties to

protect them as per the PPV&FRA act 2001.

He highlighted the benefits in

registration of farmers’ varieties and motivated the farmers to come forward to

get their varieties protected under this act. He also mentioned that this would

empower the farmers, researchers and breeders to get additional benefits. About

10 rights are given to the custodian farmers which is the first of its kind in the

world. They are also getting a financial advantage by registering the varieties under

PPV&FRA.

He also insisted research institutions like IIHR and KVKs to make

special efforts towards mainstreaming farmers’ varieties by helping them

register and creating marketing channels. He also urged to have the varieties

registered as a community, for reaching more farmers. He quoted the examples of Paramesh of Siddu Jack and Vinay of Lakshmana Tamarind from Tumkur

District for their success in terms economic returns. He hailed the demonstration

of dragon fruit cultivation by IIHR and the support it extended to the farmers.

Dr Tusar Kanti Behera, Director of ICAR-IIHR,

Bengaluru, in his speech, highlighted the research and development efforts by

ICAR-IIHR that are directed towards empowering farmers by offering better

performing varieties and innovative farming technologies.

He emphasized the importance of generating new germplasms for minor fruits.

At

the outset, Dr Sankaran, Head, Division of Fruit Crops, IIHR, Bengaluru, initiated

the programme with a welcome address. Dr Karunakaran, In-charge, Experimental Farm,

Hirehalli, briefed about the programme. He explained the initiation of Jackfruit

research at Hirehalli farm and the release of Siddu & Shankara jackfruit

varieties in the years 2017 and 2019. He also explained the establishment of

Dragon fruit plantation in the centre and the future development of the Centre of

Excellence on Kamalam fruit at Hirehalli. He recalled that Tumakuru district is

having highest PPVFRA farmer varieties registering in Karnataka (Four farmer varieties)

done by ICAR –IIHR.

Arun, a Dragon fruit entrepreneur from Sira and Chairman

of Karnataka Exotic Fruit Association, explained in detail about the Dragon

fruit cultivation in his farm. He also expressed his gratitude to IIHR for

supporting the technology.

Paramesh, a Custodian jackfruit farmer addressed his achievement in production

of Siddu jackfruit in the country. Another custodian farmer Vinay explained

the demand created by the Lakshman Tamarind variety in the district. Kumar of Niranthara

Jamun also expressed his views during the programme.

The

Chairperson had a detailed interaction with farmers during the programme. Dr N Loganandhan, Head ICAR KVK Hirehalli extended a vote of thanks.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti