Govt to reward farmers promoting genetic resources

Shillong, June 1 (UNI) The Centre is considering proposals under the National Biodiversity Act on rewarding farmers, particularly tribal and rural communities, who were preserving and promoting genetic resources.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Agro-biodiversity hot-spots and biodiversity heritage sites', National Biodiversity Act Chairman Prof S Kannayian today said, ''It is necessary to debate and clarify the agro bio-diveristy hot-spots, where economic plants and their wild relatives grow in abundance, leading to their conservation by these communities.'' He said under the said Act, farmers, particularly tribal and rural communities are entitled to have benefits for their contributions to the conservation of those valuable genetic resources of economic plants which support our food supply system.

Prof Kannayian, a renowned microbiologist, said a common perception needs to be arrived on what is meant by agro-biodiversity in the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights(PPVFR) Act, 2001.

With regard to 'Biodiversity Heritage sites', Prof Kannayian said, ''The National Biodiversity Authority is consulting with the state government and several local bodies in notifying areas of importance for their biodiversity as 'biodiversity heritage sites'.'' The two-day consultation meeting was attended by senior ecologist, botanist, germplasm experts, natural resources scientists and lawyers.

UNI