CIFRI Awards
ICAR-Central Inland Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore in collaboration with Ramkrishna Ashram Krishi Vigyan Kendra organised one day awareness programme on “Protection of Plant Varieties, Farmers Rights and other IPR issues” at Nimpith Ashram, Sundarbans, West Bengal on 18 June 2022. Revered Swami Sadanand Ji Maharaj, Secretary, Ram Krishna Ashram, Nimpith graced as Chief Guest and Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI as Guest of honour.
Dr. A. K. Das, In-charge, Extension and Training Cell, ICAR-CIFRI welcomed all the dignitaries and participants and briefed about the importance of this awareness programme.
Swami Sadanand ji Maharaj, Chief Guest in his address said that his ashram is working for development of the poor and marginalised section of Sundarban region through one KVK, one institute of Biotechnology and eleven schools. He stressed that agriculture technology played an important role in improving the livelihood of those who are at the bottom of the society and bring them to middle level.As per the philosophy of Swami Ramkrishna Paramhansa, our efforts should be to work sincerely and silently for the masses. He commended ICAR-CIFRI for its livelihood enhancement work carried out in Sundarban region.
Dr. B. K. Das, Director, ICAR-CIFRI in his address stressed that today in this awareness programme we are here to tell you about farmers rights, protection of plant varieties and other IPR issues. He said that Gobindbhog rice has got tag of geographical indicator. He delivered a lecture on the biodiversity act and conservation of biodiversity. He emphasised that Sundarban region is a hotspot of biodiversity and supports livelihood of a large population. He emphasised that time has come to conserve genetic resources of Sundarban region. He discussed about the fish biodiversity of Ganga and Sundarban region.
Dr. Ganesh Chandra, In-charge, Institute Technology Management Unit, ICAR-CIFRI elaborated in detail on protection of plant varieties and farmers right act 2001. He stressed that this single act provides an effective system for the protection of plant varieties, rights of farmers and breeders and also encourages the development of plant varieties and conservation of land races.He emphasised that farmers can also get monitory benefit after registration of plant varieties through sale and licensing. 
Dr. Nitish Ranjan Prakash, Scientist (Plant Breeding), ICAR-CSSRI regional centre, Canning Town shared his views on protection of plant varieties and farmers right. He gave an insight on the mechanism of registration of farmers variety to PPVFR authority. He discussed in detail about the Distictness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) testing criteria for registration of plant varieties. He informed that till date out of around 5000 plant variety registered with authority, 2000 are farmers variety.Dr. Chandan Kumar Mondal, Head, KVK Nimpith discussed the role of Krishi Vigyan Kendra in helping farmers in registration of farmers variety. He said that a farmers/ group of farmers or FPO can apply for registration of plant varieties.
Shri Sukhdeo, progressive farmer of Ganga Sagar who registered a local rice variety wit PPV & FR authorities shared his experience of registration of plant varieties, DUS testing with fellow farmers.More than 100 participants including 70 farmers from different parts of Sundarban, Scientists of ICAR-CIFRI, Scientists and staff members of RA KVK, Nimpith, Scientists of AICRP on sunflower, Nimpith participated in the awareness programme. On this occasion seeds and planting materials were distributed to the farmers by distinguished guests. The programme ended by the formal Vote of Thanks proposed by DR. P. K. Garai, SMS, RA KVK Nimpith.
