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Registration of seeds will ensure gene pool protection

Kashmir Times. Dated: 10/8/2012 11:33:39 PM

Dear Editor,
The decision of the State Agriculture Minister to allow the farmers to produce seeds only after they register themselves with the Agriculture Department is indeed commendable. Better late than never, the step was a long pending one. Already, innumerable indigenous varieties belonging to the cereals, fruit and vegetables categories have undergone tremendous devastation by cross pollination and thereby pollution through other seed varieties. The shape and quality of the produce has suffered enormously over the years in the State, especially in Kashmir.
The devastation wrought upon the agriculture sector in the State has been more exacerbated by the patent thieves from other States and countries that have plundering the unique agro and species’ wealth over the decades. It is due to the awareness of people and scientists that the need for patenting and usage of technology to protect these unique varieties has been sought. The efforts should also be directed towards ensuring the protection of fertile agricultural lands, besides the research on the already-lost indigenous varieties for their ultimate revival.
Divya,
Jammu