Dimapur, May 24 (EMN): A Mini Gene Bank under national adaption fund for Climate Change Project was inaugurated by director, department of Agriculture M. Ben Yanthan at State Agriculture Research Station (SARS) Yisemyong in Mokokchung district on May 24. It is the first gene bank in the state.
According to the department, the Mini Gene Bank with 12,500 lt. capacity, can preserve 20 to 30 thousand samples and can be deposited for 10 years and RH 25 to 30 %. The source said that there are around 867 samples of rice in Nagaland.
Speaking during the programme, chief patron Yanthan congratulated the SARS on successfully setting up the gene bank at Yisemyong station and expressed confidence that it (gene bank) will bring change and benefit the farmers of the state in general. He also advised the research station handlers to maintain and take care of the gene bank.
SDO (Civil) of Chantongtongya Moakumzuk, who was the special guest of the event, also congratulated the department and SARS for setting up the gene Bank. He said that it (bank) will help the people as Nagaland is a food deficiency state and wish SARS become a centre of excellence.
Joint Director SARS, Temsuinla spoke on experiments at the station and Gen pool Conservation of Indigenous Rice varieties under traditional Integrated Related Farming system in Nagaland in her key note address. She also highlighted SARS’ activities on safeguarding the heritage and indigenous seeds from extinction due to domination by hybrid seeds and climate change.
