Bihar Farmers and Groups Win Genome Savior Award, 4 Individuals and 2 Collectives Recognized

Recognized as one of the most prestigious accolades for agriculturists, a remarkable achievement has been accomplished by farmers and farmer groups associated with Bihar Agricultural University.

This recognition comes in the form of the Genome Saviour Award, an honor extended to those who have made significant strides in safeguarding agricultural diversity. The Union Agriculture Ministry is set to honor these awardees in a ceremony scheduled for September 12 in Delhi.

In this esteemed event, the award carries a commendable cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh for two farmer groups, and Rs. 1 lakh for each of the four individual farmers. Beyond the monetary acknowledgment, recipients will also receive certificates and commendation medals. Remarkably, this marks the first instance where this distinction has been given to farmers aligned with Bihar Agricultural University (BAU).

Among the recipients, the 'Bhagalpur Katarani Paddy Growers Association' of Bhagalpur secures the farmer group award for their dedicated efforts in preserving the traditional Katarani paddy variety and its unique attributes. Similarly, 'The Litchi Growers Association of Bihar' from Muzaffarpur emerges as an awardee, lauded for their relentless commitment to conserving the royal litchi variety. Over the years, this association's work has established a distinctive recognition for its preservation of Shahi Litchi.

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Four exceptional individual farmers are set to be honored, each with a distinct contribution. In Rohtas district, Arjun Singh is celebrated for cultivating the 'Sweta' pumpkin and 'Natki Paddy', with the latter showcasing remarkable resilience in low rainfall conditions while providing digestible rice. Arjun Mandal from Jamui district gained recognition for his cultivation of medicinal plants, nurturing over 100 species.

Satyadev Singh from Munger district stands tall for safeguarding the 'Titua Masur' variety, notable for its robust immunity. Lastly, Dilip Kumar Singh from Sasaram district is commended for his conservation efforts related to 'Gulgushan' tomatoes, a variety acclaimed for its heightened medicinal properties.

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Dr. Satyendra, the Nodal Officer of BAU's PGVFRA (Plant Varieties Protection and Farmers' Rights Authority) cell, highlighted the significance of this award.

He said that this serves as an incentive for farmers who diligently conserve specific plant varieties or heirloom species, known for their exceptional qualitative value. This recognition not only applauds their work and dedication but also motivates others to follow in the preservation of the agricultural heritage.

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