3 SOUTHERN FARMER'S GROUPS GET AWARDS

Four farmers' groups from Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu will be given award by the Agriculture Ministry for their outstanding work in conservation of genetic resources. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority (PPV&FR) has been giving 'Plant Genome Saviour Awards' carrying a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh since 2009. For the first time, this award has been conferred to a women self-group. "Deepaoli women's self help group from the state of Tamil Nadu is the first women help group that has been selected under the community category award," PPV&FR Joint Director R C Agrawal told reporters here today. Besides Deepaoli, PPV&FR will give awards to three other farming communities -- Seed Saver Farmers Group (Maharashtra), Sanjeevini Rural Development Society (Andhra Pradesh) and Akampadam Chimpachala Punchakkadu Padasekhara Samithi (Kerala). In addition, 10 farmers will receive award and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh each. Fifteen farmers and farming communities will be given a citation to recognise their contribution. From last five years the PPV &FR is honouring the communities for conserving plant genetic resources.