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Interaction Meet on Awareness about Farmer’s Variety Protection at ICAR-IIHR-Experimental Farm, Hirehalli, Tumakuru

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A Farmers interaction meet was organised at ICAR IIHR – Experimental Farm at Hirehalli, Tumakuru on 21.10.2024. The Chief Guest of the event, Dr. T. Mohapatra, Chairperson, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority, attended the meeting. In his key note address, he emphasized the significance of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights and compared it as 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 financial advantage by registering the varieties under PPV&FRA. He also insisted research institutions like IIHR and KVKs to make special efforts towards mainstreaming of farmers’ varieties by helping them registering and creating marketing channels. He also urged to have the varieties registered as a community, for reaching more farmers. He quoted the examples of Mr. Paramesh of Siddu Jack and Mr. 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 on 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, release of Siddu & Shankara Jack fruit varieties in the year 2017 and 2019. He also explained the establishment of Dragon fruit plantation in the centre and future development of 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.

Mr. 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.

Mr. Paramesh, Custodian Jack fruit farmer addressed his achievement in production of Siddu jackfruit in the country. Another custodian farmer Mr. Vinay explained the demand created by Lakshman Tamarind variety in the district. Mr. Kumar of Niranthara Jamun also expressed his views during the programme.

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