SSM initiates Maharashtra Gene Bank Programme

SSM has been working for sustainable development of rural communities since 1959. A Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) supported by ICAR has been established at Sagroli and routed the Agriculture development activities through it.

SSM found that Some of the Qualitatively good competent crop varieties are being endangered due to globalization and  commercialization. These timeless indigenous seed have proved their competency in context of health, resistance and market  in all respects. We need to save and spread the indigenous seed varieties to make the agriculture self sustainable.
SSM has initiated the project "Maharashtra Gene Bank" in the month of January 2014, will be finished in March 2019. SSM will be working in the component of Crop Genetic Diversity in partnership with Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. SSM has been working in the districts of Nanded (Chilli), latur (oil seed) and Osmanabad (Cereals). 

 The Main Objectives are -
A. To build up a systematic inventory of crop genetic resources of the Nanded, Latur and Osmanabad districts of the Maharashtra state;
B. To identify one variety in each district for pilot scale efforts at on farm conservation, up gradation, value addition, marketing, and registration.
C. To establish district level seed banks focusing on traditional cultivars of superior quality;
D. To engage educational institutions in study and promotion of crop genetic resources.

We have made a base line survey and selected crops from the respective districts. We have adopted the cluster approach to implement various activities to get maximum benefit.
A team of Agri-Expert has been appointed specially for the project.