ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources organized an Interactive Meet on Agrobiodiversity Index (ABDI)- AnGR Component with Alliance of Bioversity International & CIAT, Region-Asia (India Office) at NBAGR, Karnal on 11th July 2023.
Dr J C Rana, Country Representative, India Office, Alliance of Biodiversity International & CIAT, Region-Asia along with his Team attended the Meet. Dr B P Mishra, Director, ICAR-NBAGR chaired the meeting. In his welcome address, Dr Mishra apprised about various activities of the Bureau towards management of AnGR biodiversity in the country and informed that about 40 new potential populations have been recognized during survey in 18 states under the Mission. Apart from registering 212 breeds in the country, the Bureau has also developed a Breed Watchlist to prioritize the breeds for conservation. He informed that more than 40 percent of registered breeds have already been conserved through their germplasm cryopreservation in the National Gene Bank.
Dr Rana informed that Bioversity International has taken the initiative for developing the ABDI in various countries across the globe so that countries should be apprised about Agrobiodiversity status and trends, and consequently may develop a suitable policy for increasing their index. As AnGR is an integral component, the data may be shared between two agencies for developing the ABDI of the country.
Dr Niranjan, who is also working as Co-Nodal Officer -ABDI at NBAGR, presented AnGR component of ABDI & Ecosystem Services. He presented the status, action and commitments pertaining to AnGR diversity based on three pillars -consumption, production and conservation in the country. Dr Sunayana Sharma of Biodiversity International presented the methodology and data set required for developing ABDI. She also presented spatial mapping of fish genetic resources in the country.
Bioversity International team also visited Breed Registration Cell of the institute. Dr S K Niranjan, I/c PME Cell coordinated the Meeting.