ICAR-CIRCOT organises an online lecture on “Setting up of Seed Banks and Preservation of Indigenous Crop Varieties” under Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada

As part of the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada celebrations commemorating the 150th Birth Anniversary of Bagwan Birsa Munda, ICAR-CIRCOT, Mumbai organized a lecture on the theme “Setting up of Seed Banks and Preservation of Indigenous Crop Varieties” on 15th November 2025 through online mode (Zoom platform). The lecture was delivered by Dr. Suresh Dodake, Principal Scientist, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV), Rahuri. The lecture was attended by tribal entrepreneurs and farmers. The aim of this event was to sensitize the tribal people about the significance of conservation of germplasm of the seeds of indigenous crops and medicinal plants.

The programme commenced with a formal welcome extended by Dr. A. K. Bharimalla, Principal Scientist, who greeted all participants and briefly apprised them of the significance of conserving indigenous seeds for the welfare and sustainable progress of tribal communities. He introduced the speaker, Dr. Suresh Dodake, highlighting his expertise in seed germplasm conservation and extensive contributions toward the establishment of state-level seed banks.

During his lecture, Dr. Suresh Dodake explained the procedures involved in the establishment of seed banks and the scientific methods used for maintaining indigenous crop varieties. He elaborated on various methods of seed collection, processing, storage, and documentation. He highlighted the importance of seed banks and explained how community-based seed banks can empower farmers by ensuring access to quality seeds and safeguarding traditional crop diversity. Dr. Dodake suggested that communities can begin by establishing small nurseries for traditional crops and medicinal plants, which would help in multiplying and safeguarding native varieties. He also advised them to learn scientific methods of maintaining germplasm.

The session witnessed the participation of more than thirty attendees, who expressed that the lecture aligned with their ongoing field activities pertaining to millets, indigenous crops, local medicinal plants and tribal-linked tourism sectors. Dr. A. K. Bharimalla encouraged the participants to continue engaging in such capacity-building programmes. The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks proposed by Dr. Manoj Kumar Mahawar, who appreciated the active participation of the tribal people in the events organised during the Jan Jatiya Gaurav Varsh Pakhwada – 2025.