Annual Review Workshop of Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insect Genetic Resources

The Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology (MPUAT), Udaipur organized the Sixth Annual Review Workshop of Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insects Genetic Resources (NP-CLIGR)” at its campus from 7^th to 8^th February - 2019.

In his inaugural address, the Chief Guest, Dr. K.K. Singh, ADG (FE) highlighted the importance of conserving bio-resources of the country. He also advised for intensifying and diversifying all the research and development activities and creating enabling across whole value chain. Dr. Singh briefed about AICRP and AINWP projects in ICAR and urged to provide the concise output to the Council and policy makers.

In his presidential address, Dr. K.K. Sharma, PC, NP-CLIGR and Director, ICAR-IINRG shared his concern on depletion of lac insect bio-diversity throughout the country. He also accentuated on ex-situ and in-situ conservation of lac insect, creating co-operating centres considering agro-ecological zone, the importance of lac in various fields especially in providing livelihood support to tribals and rain-fed farming community.

The occasion also marked the releasing ceremonies of various publications, viz., “Ber par Lakh ki Kethi” and Status of lac insect and host in Arid Western Plain of Rajasthan by MPUAT, Rajasthan; Bulletin on “Economic analysis of lac insect on semialata in Assamese language by AAU, Jorhat .

Dr. S.K. Sharma, Zonal Director of Research; Dr. A.K. Joshi, Dean, RCA; Dr. A.K. Mehta, Director of Research, MPUAT, Udaipur, Rajasthan also shared their views about using the lac in traditional and religious functions of Rajasthan and accentuated on the promotion of lac cultivation technology among the farmers of Rajasthan.

The occasion also marked the field visit and Business Session.

The Major recommendations made during the meeting were:

• Documentation of current status of lac insect and lac host plants.
• Proper utilization of budget and ranking of centres depending upon performance.
• The establishment of Sale counter of lac related products in all the centres for its promotion.

The deliberations registered the participation by more than 40 scientists and researchers from 9 Network Cooperating Centres from different parts of the country.

(Source: Network Project on Conservation of Lac Insects Genetic Resources, IINRG, Ranchi)