Farmers –Scientists Interaction Meetings Organized at Leh

29th September 2013, Leh

The Regional Research Station of Central Arid Zone Research Institute (CAZRI), Leh, organized Scientists-Farmer interaction meetings at Stakmo and Nimmu villages of Leh on 29th September, 2013.

The experts, Dr. P.N. Mathur, Coordinator, South East Asia, International Bioversity; Dr. I.S. Bisht, Professor, Plant Genetic Resource, NBPGR, New Delhi; Dr R.K. Bhatt, Head and In-charge of the RRS and  Dr. M.S. Raghuvanshi, Sr. Scientist (Agronomy) participated in this interaction meeting. It was a sensitization discussion with farmers about the importance of available crop biodiversity and its use and conservation in the Ladakh region.

During the interaction, major emphasis was given on the conservation of land races grown by the farmers over the generations. On the occasion, Farmers informed that the area under necked barley production is decreasing due to non-availability of the market. Therefore, there is need to link the necked barley production with market. At Nimmu village, Mr. Tashi Tsepahel, Sarpanch of the village and other farmers urged scientists to make available high quality walnut saplings.

Mr. Jigmet Dorje, the village Sarpanch and Mr. Sonam Tundup, the Namberdar and farmers, including a large number of women famers attended the meeting at Stakmo village. Mr. Dorje thanked CAZRI for arranging such an important meeting for the benefit of farmers.

(Source: CAZRI, RRS, Leh)