National Symposium on Harnessing Plant Genetic Resources of Peninsular India inaugurated at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru

Plant Genetic Resources Key to Climate-Resilient Agriculture, Food Security and Sustainable Development: Karnataka Governor

The three days National Symposium on “Harnessing Plant Genetic Resources of Peninsular India” being held at ICAR-IIHR, Bengaluru, from 17–19 September 2026 was inaugurated today at the Dr. G. S. Randhawa Auditorium, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (ICAR-IIHR), Bengaluru. The symposium is being organized by the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources (ISPGR) in association with ICAR, ICAR-IIHR and the Trust for Advancement of Agricultural Sciences (TAAS), bringing together scientists, researchers, policymakers, students, farmers and other stakeholders.

The inaugural session was graced by Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, Hon’ble Governor of Karnataka, as the Chief Guest. Dr. R. S. Paroda, President, ISPGR and Chairman, TAAS, Dr. D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General (Crop Sciences), ICAR, and Dr. T. K. Behera, Director, ICAR-IIHR, were among the distinguished dignitaries.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot emphasized that plant genetic resources are not merely scientific material preserved in gene banks, but constitute the biological foundation of future agriculture, food and nutritional security, ecological balance and rural livelihoods. He highlighted the relevance of the symposium in the context of three major global challenges—climate change, food and nutritional insecurity, and biodiversity loss.

The Governor highlighted the exceptional biological wealth of Peninsular India, encompassing the Western and Eastern Ghats, Deccan Plateau, coastal regions, drylands and rainfed and tribal agricultural areas. He noted the region’s rich repository of landraces, traditional varieties, crop wild relatives, medicinal and ornamental plants and indigenous knowledge. He stressed the need for systematic documentation, scientific characterization, conservation and sustainable utilization of these resources in view of threats such as habitat loss, climate change and invasive plant species.

Dr DK Yadava, Deputy Director General, ICAR New Delhi called for utilization of conserved genetic resources for effective crop improvement along with novel breeding strategies. Appreciated the role of NBPGR in conservation of plant Genetic resources through National Gene Bank.

Padma Bhushan Dr R S Paroda opined that Genetic resources are power heritage of mankind and called the scientific community to explore more genetic resources by decoding the genes for the benefit of mankind and also urged for recognizing the farmers and local communities who are preserving the countries natural resources. Dr Paroda also stressed for the necessity to establish state level mission for conserving the natural resources and their proper documentation for further preservation and effective utilization. 

At the outset ICAR-IIHR Director Dr Tusar Kanti Behera welcome the dignitaries and ISPGR General Secretary Dr Anuradha Agrawal presented vote of thanks.