The “Native Basket” brand under the livelihood improvement actions of the UN Environment implemented GEF project “Mainstreaming agricultural biodiversity conservation and utilization in agricultural sector to ensure ecosystem services and reduce vulnerability” was launched on 30 December 2020 in Guwahati, Assam, India. Part of the project’s implementation is embedding the inclusion of crop and genetic diversity into livelihood and development strategies through adaptation and income generation in selected ecoregions in India. This brand specifically takes on value addition and unique product development from local crops and landraces and their commercialisation through effective market links, selected heirloom native rice varieties from the state of Assam. Also, Native Basket was launched by the Foundation for Development Integration (FDI), a non-governmental organisation and one of the project partners in the North-eastern and the Eastern Himalaya agro-eco region.
Under the market initiative, around 24 heirloom native rice varieties and nine of its processed products have been identified and selected for launch in the local market. Some of the nutrient rich varieties launched under the brand are Amona Bao (Deep water rice), Ronga Bao (Deep water rice) and Kola Joha (Aromatic rice). These native rice varieties were identified from the project sites in Assam based on the nutritional analysis done by the national project partner Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources. Under the project, three Farmer Producer Organisations four Women Self-Help Groups Women (SHG) and one male SHG were vitalised and strengthened as professional business groups to receive direct benefits. It is expected that around 2000 farm families would be covered as beneficiaries under this value chain development and market linkage endeavour.
