NRAA Achieves Milestone in Wild Rice Conservation in Assam
The National Rainfed Area Authority (NRAA), part of the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, has marked a pivotal achievement in preserving India’s wild rice genetic resources. This effort comes through a notable project titled “In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur District of Assam,” which has been underway since 2022. The initiative is being executed by the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR) in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board.
A team from ICAR-NBPGR recently presented their progress to Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar, the Chief Executive Officer of the NRAA. They detailed the project’s significant milestones in exploring, conserving, and characterizing wild rice germplasm. A highlight of their efforts is the Borjuli site in Sonitpur district, now recognized as a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority. This important designation is a step forward in the conservation of India’s diverse wild rice varieties and in fostering climate-resilient agricultural practices.
Dr. Chandra Shekhar Kumar praised the research team for their important work, emphasizing that wild rice species offer invaluable genetic resources necessary for developing climate-resilient, high-yielding, and nutritionally enhanced rice varieties. He stressed the importance of expanding similar conservation projects for other crop wild relatives across the country to improve resilience and ensure long-term food security in Indian agriculture.
The productive meeting was supported by Dr. Pankaj Kumar Shah, Director of Agriculture & Horticulture at the NRAA, and Dr. Anil Kumar Mishra, a Technical Expert in Watershed Management at the NRAA. Their collaborative efforts aim to strengthen the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices in India.
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