The agricultural diversity and genetic resources that support crops, need to be used efficiently both to maintain current level of food production and to confront emerging new challenges. In the context of climate change, declining natural resources and increasing population, it is imperative that greater attention needs to be given to conserve and use agro biodiversity for future sustainability. In order to devise future strategies and to find possible solutions, ‘First National Conference on Plant Genetic Resources Management (NCPGRM 2022)’ was organized jointly by the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT under UN Environment implemented GEF project, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority from 22-24 November, 2022 at NASC Complex, New Delhi in collaboration with other national and international CGAIR research organizations and also sponsored by many seed companies.
The conference was inaugurated by the Dr Himanshu Pathak, Secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education & Director General, Indian Council of Agricultural Research. The inaugural session was chaired by Padma Bhushan Dr R S Paroda who also delivered Plenary Lecture on ‘Managing our Biodiversity’. Dr KV Prabhu, Chairperson, PPV&FRA, Dr Jai C Rana, Country Representative, The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and Dr GP Singh Director, ICAR-NBPGR shared their views on the importance of various themes being discussed in the conference.
The NCPGRM 2022 deliberated on the challenges of achieving sustainable plant genetic resource management while enhancing their use in genetic gains. Striving to create sustainable PGR management, the conference explored knowledge in PGR, allied fields and related policy challenges including farmers’ perspectives. The conference provided an opportunity to around 300 PGR researchers, academicians, policy makers, students and farmers to present their research results, views and suggestions relating to current developments in the area of PGR management and develop the road map for future.
The recommendations from the conference are expected to pave the way forward and present opportunities for stakeholders to collaborate, network, supplement the latest knowledge and present a future road map to collect , conserve (ex situ and in situ) and sustainably utilise PGR in view of the genetic erosion due to various biotic, abiotic and anthropogenic factors.
