Farmers of this district brought more than 50 indigenous crop varieties for display at the one day exhibition of such varieties, which was organised by the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), attached to the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) at Sandhiyur, on Wednesday.
This was organised as part of a workshop on Protection of Plant Varieties (PPV) and Farmer’s Rights Act (FRA), 2001.
N. Sriram, of the KVK who organised the event, told The Hindu that these varieties were scrutinised by a panel of experts from TNAU.
“It was done in the presence of farmers who brought them. During scrutiny 23 varieties brought by six farmers and farmers clubs were identified as new varieties that were yet to be documented”, the organiser said.
Documentation
He added that the farmers were informed at once if the varieties brought by them were yet to be documented, or if they were already documented as an indigenous variety.
“Some varieties had their origin in other parts of the state. Some of the paddy varieties were already documented by farmers in Tanjore and Tiruchi”, he added.
The new varieties documented in the names of the farmers here were: Salem Sanna, a paddy variety, and Naatu Thenai from Nilavarapatty village; Sikappu pulichai (Mesta) and Bottle gourd from Puthur Agraharam; Ribbed gourd, Lady’s finger, Bitter gourd, Black night shade (manathakali), Pumpkin (oblong), Pumpkin (Round), Bottle gourd and Brinjal from Linemedu.
Mochai and Horse gram from Pukkampatti village near Mecheri; Chilli, Varagu, red and brown Thenai, Cumbu, Horse gram and Naripayaru from Kolnaickenpatty near Mettur; Yam and Elephant foot yam from Thalaivasal.
Free of cost Dr. Sriram said that these varieties would be sent for a crop specific Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability (DUS) test.
“There are DUS centres registered under the PPV and FRA Act across the country to conduct the test for specific crop varieties, free of cost. The centre at TNAU, in Coimbatore, has been recognised to test paddy and groundnut”, he said.
“The 23 documented samples will be tested in those centres for one crop cycle. The harvested produce will then be tested for its uniqueness such as the ability to withstand drought and maintaining uniform productivity. On completion of these procedures, the farmers who documented it will be given credit for preserving the variety”, he added.
