Genetic diversity must for sustainable agriculture: Pawar

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) Proper management of plant and animal genetic resources is integral to sustainable development of agriculture and the Government has taken a number of steps to conserve the country's rich genetic diversity with many more in the offing.

This was in the Parliamentary Consultative Committee meeting held earlier this week in which Parliamentarians and Government officials discussed the issue relating to genetic resource management in the changing global context, an official release said here today.

Introducing the subject to Members of Parliament, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar emphasised it was imperative to conserve the country's vast genetic diversity for sustainable development of crop production and animal husbandry, phyto-pharmaceuticals and overall human well being.

Highlighting the importance of traditional farming practices, he said, ''Conservation of traditional crops and animal breeds could succeed when linked to the economic development of farmers.

''Grassroots breeding can build upon their existing knowledge and skills, linking them from different regions through exchange of information and genetic resources,'' he added.

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