Mysuru :

M.K. Shankarguru of Madralli and M. Rachanna from Hosa Malangi, both from T. Narasipur taluk, have been selected for the prestigious ‘Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Recognition’ awarded by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Right Authority (PPV & FRA), New Delhi. The recognition comes as an encouragement to all the farmers involved in conservation and development of plant varieties.

Shankarguru is recognised for developing his own paddy variety, NMS 2, which thrives under minimum management practices and is a high yielder whereas Rachanna has been conserving over 300 paddy varieties most of them being very rare indigenous varieties, with medicinal value.

JSS Krishi Vigyan Kendra in Suttur had sent their nominations to PPV & FRA in 2014, the results of which have been announced this week. The farmers will be receiving the award from the Union Minister for Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ welfare, Radha Mohan Singh, on Dec. 21 in New Delhi. Each farmer will get a cash prize of rupees one lakh, a memento and a certificate.

The recognition, sponsored by the ‘National Gene Fund’, is being given to farmers, farmer/ tribal communities annually by the PPV & FRA to encourage protection of indigenous land races and farmers seed sovereignty.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> General News / Dec 14th, 2016