Last Updated on November 13, 2026 12:22 am by INDIAN AWAAZ
AMN / NEW DELHI: Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister, Dr P.K. Mishra, Thursday underscored the need to recognise farmers as custodians and innovators of India’s rich agricultural biodiversity, while strengthening the integration of their traditional knowledge with scientific research and seed systems. He was addressing the 22nd Foundation Day celebrations of the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and the Plant Genome Saviour Award Ceremony in the national capital.
Highlighting the critical role of agricultural biodiversity, Dr Mishra said India’s diverse genetic resources are essential for developing crop varieties capable of withstanding climate change, water stress, pests and diseases. He stressed that farmers should be viewed not only as participants in the country’s agricultural transformation but also as key contributors and beneficiaries of the process.
Pointing to India’s robust scientific capabilities, Dr Mishra noted that nearly 3,000 climate-resilient crop varieties have been developed under the National Agricultural Research System. He called for moving beyond recognition towards empowerment of farming communities through measures such as strengthening community seed banks and field gene banks, while fostering greater synergy between indigenous knowledge systems and modern scientific research.
The Principal Secretary also highlighted the importance of benefit-sharing mechanisms and the National Gene Fund in ensuring that communities conserving valuable genetic resources receive equitable returns, thereby encouraging sustainable conservation and use of agricultural biodiversity.