Tura, November12: The Sadolpara Comilla Cotton Farmers Association of the Garo Hills, Meghalaya, has been conferred with the prestigious Plant Genome Saviour Community Award 2023–24 by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA), Government of India, in recognition of its outstanding contribution to the conservation, cultivation and promotion of indigenous Comilla cotton (Gossypium arboreum race cernuum) and other traditional crops.
The award recognises the collective efforts of the traditional farming community in preserving this unique indigenous cotton variety through generations of traditional mixed-cropping practices. Comilla cotton is particularly valued for its large bolls, high ginning outturn, tolerance to moisture stress, distinctive fibre characteristics and high absorbency, making it an important genetic resource with considerable potential for diversified applications.
The community’s contribution extends beyond cotton conservation. The farmers also preserve and cultivate several traditional crops, including rice, maize, ash gourd, broad bean and tapioca, thereby safeguarding valuable agro-biodiversity and indigenous agricultural knowledge. The community also promotes traditional millet-based food products during the Wangala festival, reflecting the close relationship between agricultural heritage, food culture and community traditions.
Recognising the potential of Comilla cotton for value addition, the Central Agricultural University (CAU), Tura, Meghalaya, has been undertaking initiatives to explore innovative applications of this indigenous fibre. The ongoing efforts include the development and piloting of value-added products such as sanitary napkins, cotton buds and bandages, opening new avenues for sustainable utilisation of locally available natural fibres and enhancing livelihood opportunities for farming communities. The cotton has also been utilised in breeding-related research by ICAR-CICR.
The award applications were facilitated under the able guidance of the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Anupam Mishra, with academic guidance and support from Dr. Jyoti V. Vastrad, Dean, College of Community Science, CAU (Imphal), Tura, and active coordination and assistance from Dr. Kencharaddi, Assistant Professor, MTTC-VTC, Tura. This collaborative effort reflects the University’s commitment to recognising and promoting indigenous agricultural heritage, conserving valuable plant genetic resources and safeguarding the contributions of traditional farming communities.
The recognition carries a cash award of Rs. 10,00,000, along with a citation and memento, honouring the community’s exemplary contribution to conserving valuable plant genetic resources.
