The programme was organized at ICAR-CISH Regional Research Station, Malda, West Bengal on June 09, 2024 with support of Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Government of India, New Delhi. Prof. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPV&FRA), Government of India, New Delhi inaugurated the program as a chief guest. The honorable chief guest was accompanied by Dr. Dinesh Kumar Agarwal, Registrar-General, PPV&FRA, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Dr. VB Patel, Assistant Director General (Hort.), ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. Pradip Dey, Director, ATARI, Kolkata, West Bengal, Dr. T. Damodaran, Director, ICAR-CISH, Lucknow, Dr. J. Karforma, Dean, College of Agriculture, UBKV, Balurghat, Dr D Sarkar, Social Activist, Malda, Mr. Krishnendu Narayan Choudhury, Former Minister in In-charge, Department of FPI & Horticulture, Govt. of West Bengal, Mr. Ujjal Saha, President, Malda Mango Merchant Association, Malda and Mr. Ujjal Choudhury, Malda Mango Merchant Association, Malda. At the beginning, mango and jackfruit diversity show was inaugurated and distinguished guests visited the various stalls of the diversity show and witnessed the unique diversity of more than 250 varieties of mango showcased by progressive mango growers from Malda, Murshidabad, Bankura and Purulia districts of West Bengal. The Director, ICAR-CISH delivered formal welcome address and greet all the distinguish guests and fellow mango and jackfruit growers. In his address, he highly appreciated the mango growers coming from different districts of West Bengal and adjoining states for mango and jackfruit exhibition and also admired the SC and tribal women of Malda who were involved with Farmers Producers Company (Agrani& Alokini) and conserving the indigenous diversity in mango and jackfruit. All distinguish guests delivered the lectures and highlighted the importance of PPV&FRA act on protection and conservation of plant varieties. The hon’ble chief guest enlightened the farmers for joining the hands with ICAR for registration of indigenous mango and jackfruit varieties under PPV&FRA act, which in turn may help the farmers to sustain their livelihood security. He also lauded the efforts of ICAR-CISH RRS, Malda for showcasing very rich diversity of mango and jackfruits in this programme and active role in registration of traditional mango varieties and other horticultural crops. Other dignitaries also emphasized the role of the institute in sensitizing the farmers for conserving the rich diversity in mango and jackfruit and helping them to uplift their income by processing and value addition of important varieties and marketization on commercial scale. The showcasing of mango included commercial mango varieties like Amrapali, Mallika, Himsagar, Langra, Fazli and Laxman Bhog and indigenous mango varieties like Chiniya, Gadadhar, Kolaboti, Funiya, Kishan Bhog, Gulabkhas, Piyarfuli, Nawab Pasand, Belakishan Bhog, Raj Bhog, Amrit Bhog, Chintamani Guti. About 300 mango growers and farmers participated in the programme from different parts of West Bengal. The mango and jackfruit diversity showcased in the programme were evaluated by the group of experts and awarded on different categories. Among the farmers, Mr. Biman Mondal, a progressive growers and lovers from Maldahas received best exhibitor award in the showfor showcasing about 115 different indigenous mango varieties, while Mr. Pradip Rajbanshi was awarded the second-best exhibitor for showcasing 72 varieties of mango. Agrani Neo FPC, Malda has received best exhibitor for showcasing rich collection of jackfruit, while Alokini FPC has received second best exhibitor ward for jackfruit.
Read more: https://cish.icar.gov.in/event.php
