Conserve standard crop varieties: Minister V S Sunilkumar

Thrissur: Agriculture Minister V.S. Sunilkumar has called for conserving the  conventional crop varieties, traditional knowledge and bio-diversity resources. “The quality of produce also matters in ensuring the health of society,” he said  while addressing a  function organised by the Kerala Agricultural University  to felicitate the winners of Plant Genome Saviour awards here on Saturday. “Our ancestors had formulated a menu based on our needs, climate and resources. We have obliterated it and blindly adopted a menu followed by the people living in different agro- climatic conditions which has led to the abandoning of  traditional crops. The award-winning farmers  here have led a noble fight to preserve traditional crops and knowledge. We have to carry forward this fight,” he said.

He  highlighted the role played by KAU in facilitating the farmers' road to national recognition. The number of Plant Genome Saviour awards won by Kerala farmers was  proof of the commitment shown by KAU, he said. The minister also inaugurated the new model of  HiTech Kitchen garden designed for small families. At  another function held on the main campus, he  inaugurated the silver jubilee academic block of the College of Forestry.  The full potential of KAU was yet to be exploited, he said and added, “it is after several visits to different campuses and detailed interactions that I have realised the  potential of KAU.

The volume of research done here is enormous and its outcome is valuable. These should be translated in to  benefit the  farming community. Social responsibilities have to be fulfilled and expectations of people should be met. All sections of KAU community should contribute to this. The government wants to ensure  cordial relations between KAU, other research institutes in the state and the department of agriculture,”  he said.