PM to open global biodiversity conservation conclave today

In an attempt to conserve the depleting agro biodiversity of the country, India is hosting first international conference in this regard.

The conglomeration of some 900 delegates from 60 countries, where conservation of genetic resources would be discussed, would be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday. 

The conference, to be held here from November 6-9, is being organised by the Indian Society of Plant Genetic Resources and Biodiversity International, a CGIAR Research Centre headquartered in Rome, Italy. 

“Biodiversity conservation has become important. The status in our country is not satisfactory. We will have to do much more,” said MS Swaminathan, an eminent scientist. 

“It is the duty of every nation to conserve biodiversity,” he told reporters here. Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Deputy Director General (crop sciences) JS Sandhu said the Congress will provide a platform for knowledge sharing as well as exchange of germplasm, a collective union of germ cells. 

“The conference will also deliberate on the issue of efficient management of gene banks at low cost with the use of new innovative technology,” Sandhu added.

Agrobiodiversity is defined as the variety and variability of animals, plant and micro-organism that are used directly or indirectly for food and agriculture.