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Koraput’s traditional farming gets UN stamp of approval
UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has recognised the efforts of the tribal community of Koraput to conserve biodiversity and develop climate resilient farm practices as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Mentioning this at the inauguration of the 99th Indian Science Congress here, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded the Koraput tribals for the achievement.
“I congratulate the tribal community of Koraput for the global recognition they have received for their contribution to conserving bio-diversity and developing climate resilient farming systems,” he said.
He honoured Raita Maduli and Chandra Pradhan of Koraput for preserving the traditional agricultural system of the region.
The recognition of the Koraput Traditional Agricultural System as a GIAHS site is expected to guarantee local and international efforts for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its genetic resources.
It is also seen as the recognition of tribal peoples’ contribution to biodiversity and knowledge systems, whilst increasing attention to their natural and cultural heritage. The Koraput region is famous for its rich agricultural biodiversity of global importance.
The genetic diversity of Asian cultivated rice and has been considered as the centre of origin of aus eco type of rice.
The landraces or traditional varieties growing here are thought to beharbouring dominant genes for biotic and abiotic stresses, aroma and palatability, and hold promise for their utilisation in future plant breeding and biotechnology programmes, an FAO official said.
The tribal and rural families of this area have been developing and conserving these genetic resources from immemorial time with their traditional knowledge.
Today’s landraces, evolved naturally with the changing environment and agricultural practices, are the products of careful and continuous selection by tribal women and men, whose merits have not yet received the recognition they deserved, the FAO official said.
UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has recognised the efforts of the tribal community of Koraput to conserve biodiversity and develop climate resilient farm practices as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System. Mentioning this at the inauguration of the 99th Indian Science Congress here, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh lauded the Koraput tribals for the achievement.
“I congratulate the tribal community of Koraput for the global recognition they have received for their contribution to conserving bio-diversity and developing climate resilient farming systems,” he said.
He honoured Raita Maduli and Chandra Pradhan of Koraput for preserving the traditional agricultural system of the region.
The recognition of the Koraput Traditional Agricultural System as a GIAHS site is expected to guarantee local and international efforts for the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its genetic resources.
It is also seen as the recognition of tribal peoples’ contribution to biodiversity and knowledge systems, whilst increasing attention to their natural and cultural heritage. The Koraput region is famous for its rich agricultural biodiversity of global importance.
The genetic diversity of Asian cultivated rice and has been considered as the centre of origin of aus eco type of rice.
The landraces or traditional varieties growing here are thought to beharbouring dominant genes for biotic and abiotic stresses, aroma and palatability, and hold promise for their utilisation in future plant breeding and biotechnology programmes, an FAO official said.
The tribal and rural families of this area have been developing and conserving these genetic resources from immemorial time with their traditional knowledge.
Today’s landraces, evolved naturally with the changing environment and agricultural practices, are the products of careful and continuous selection by tribal women and men, whose merits have not yet received the recognition they deserved, the FAO official said.
