Assam Wild Rice Conservation Project Marks Major Milestone for Climate-Resilient Farming

New Delhi: The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has announced a major achievement in the conservation of India's wild rice genetic resources, with a key project in Assam earning national recognition for protecting the country's valuable biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient agriculture.

Launched in 2022, the project, titled "In-situ Conservation and Management of Wild Rice (Oryza rufipogon) in Sonitpur District of Assam," is being implemented by the ICAR–National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources in collaboration with the Assam State Biodiversity Board. The initiative focuses on preserving wild rice species, which are considered vital for developing improved crop varieties capable of withstanding climate change.

A team of scientists from ICAR-NBPGR recently briefed the National Rainfed Area Authority on the project's progress in exploring, conserving, and characterising wild rice germplasm. During the meeting, they highlighted that the Borjuli site in Sonitpur has been officially declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site by the National Biodiversity Authority.

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Praising the initiative, NRAA Chief Executive Officer Chandra Shekhar Kumar said wild rice species are a valuable genetic resource for breeding high-yielding, nutritious, and climate-resilient rice varieties. He also called for similar conservation efforts to be extended to other wild crop relatives across India to strengthen agricultural sustainability and ensure long-term food security.

The review meeting was attended by Pankaj Kumar Shah and Anil Kumar Mishra. According to the ministry, the project reflects the government's continued commitment to conserving plant genetic resources and biodiversity as part of its strategy to build a more resilient agricultural sector in the face of climate change.

With inputs from IANS