Devakanta honoured with Agri reward
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 31 2013 :
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India has conferred the prestigious "Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Reward 2012" to Potsangbam Devakanta for his commendable work in preserving 10 varieties of paddy which are indigenous to the State.
Devkanta is the first person from the Northeast to receive this prestigious reward of Rs.one lakh, citation and memento.
It was presented to him in a function held at New Delhi recently.
Congratulating him on receiving the reward, the scientists of Central Agricultural University (CAU), Iroishemba hosted a reception function at the University premises today.
Prof N Iboton, Prof GS Laishram, Prof Ram Singh, Prof Ibo and other faculty members of CAU attended the reception function.
Speaking at the function, Prof Iboton said that the reward was given acknowledging the hard work of Devakanta who have been engaged in preserving 10 indigenous varieties of paddy for more than five years.
Devakanta has registered local varieties of Paddy such as Kumbi, Changlei, Moirangphou, Kokngangbi, Chakhao Poireiton, Phourenmubi, Phoungang, Kakcheng Phou, Moirang Phou Yenthik, Phoudum and Taothabi in the same of All Manipur Trained Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Promoters Consortium (AMAPCON) to PPV & FR Authority, New Delhi.
Devakanta is also the president of AMAPCON.
Prof GS Laishram stated the preservation of indigenous varieties of paddy have been taken up by the University after the Parliament passed the Protection of Plant Varieties Act.
The agricultural scientists would strive furthermore to preserve different varieties of maize and medicinal plants found in the State, he noted.