Lok Sabha Question No. 1324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-27
Subject: Scheme for promoting Indigenous Rice
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Jasbir Singh Gill

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, COOPERATION AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1324

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  JULY, 2021

## SCHEME FOR PROMOTING INDIGENOUS RICE

1324.   SHRI JASBIR SINGH GILL:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plan or scheme to promote indigenous varieties of rice;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  some  indigenous  varieties  of  rice  have  low glycemic index (GI) and are beneficial for diabetics, if so, the steps taken by the Government to promote such varieties of rice;
- (c) whether the Government charges for GI certification; and
- (d) whether the Government has list of indigenous varieties of rice that are currently being grown in the country?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF AGRICUTLRURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि और ककसान कल्याण मंत्री ( SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR )

(a)

- Indigenous varieties of rice are being promoted  through  varietal  improvement programmes of ICAR. During the past few years, 574 indigenous varieties of rice have been  propagated  and  tested  at  more  than  10,000  farmers'  fields,  involving  state agricultural universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) and Non-Government Organisations through a project titled 'Mainstreaming Agricultural biodiversity conservation and utilization of the agriculture sector to ensure ecosystem services and reduce vulnerability'.  Farmers are trained on conservation, improvement and use of traditional/ indigenous varieties through participatory approach.  Further, for access to seeds of these indigenous varieties, community seed banks have been established at community level involving KVKs and Self Help Groups in remote and tribal areas of the country. A total of 26 community seed banks conserving >4000 native landraces and farmers' varieties  of  different  food  crops  including  rice  have  been  strengthened and established.

- Communities  and  farmers  conserving  and  promoting  indigenous  rice  varieties  have been  conferred  with  Genome  Savour  awards  by  Protection  of  Plant  Varieties  and Farmers'  Rights  Authority  (PPV&FRA)  and  following  awards  have  been  given  since 2009-10:
- a. Plant Genome Saviour Community Award (Rs. 10 lakh each ): 13
- b. Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Rewards (Rs. 1.5 lakhs each): 12
- c. Plant Genome Saviour Farmer Recognitions (Rs. 1.0 lakh each): 19

(b) Yes,  five  rice  varieties  viz., Lalat and Improved  Lalat (GI  value:  54)  as  low  GI  and Swarna,  Sambha  Mahsuri  and  Shaktiman  (GI  value <60)  as  intermediate  GI  have  been identified.  All these varieties are in the seed chain and are under cultivation by the farmers.

- (c) Till now, there is no certification for GI (Glycemic Index) in rice.

(d) Yes,  the  details  of  indigenous  rice  varieties/  germplasm  are  available  with  ICARNBPGR, New Delhi.  A total of 45,107 indigenous varieties/ land races of rice are conserved in the National Gene Bank at ICAR-NBPGR, New Delhi.  In addition, 1645 farmer's varieties are registered with PPV&FRA.

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