A two-day awareness workshop and seed exhibition on traditional and farmers’ varieties held in Madurai.

A two-day awareness workshop and seed exhibition on traditional and farmers’ varieties, sponsored by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Authority (PPVFRA), was held in Madurai on March 27 and 28.

The event was organised by the Department of Seed Science and Technology of Agricultural College and Research Institute in Madurai.

According to the press release, the main objective of the workshop was to educate the farmers, stakeholders and NGOs on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act empowering the farming community with the essential knowledge about their rights and responsibilities.

Addressing the gathering, Virudhunagar Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan highlighted the various steps being taken by the government to support farmers in preserving genetic resources. The programme was inaugurated by AC&RI Dean P.P. Mahendran. He emphasised the significance of the PPVFR Act in conserving the diversity of farmer’s traditional varieties.

The workshop covered several key topics, including an overview of the PPVFR Act, plant variety protection, farmers rights and the best practices in seed production. A special interaction session between farmers and scientists was conducted to help participants understand the rules and regulations concerning geotagging of traditional plant varieties.

Professor and Head of the Department of Seed Science and Technology, AC&RI, K. Sujatha, welcomed the gathering and Associate Professor V. Alex Albert proposed a vote of thanks. Farmers and students from the southern districts participated in the event.