Maharashtra Gene Bank:

SSM has initiated “Maharashtra Gene Bank” project in
January 2014 with an aim to conserve the traditional/indigenous seed and drive the farmers to use it to conserve the agricultural biodiversity and self sustainability. SSM will be working in the component of Crop Genetic Diversity in partnership with Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune. SSM is working in the districts of Nanded (Chili), latur (oil seed) and Osmanabad (Cereals) under the project gene bank. A base line survey conducted and selected crops from the respective districts. Through cluster approach various activities have been implemented to conserve and spread outreach of the indigenous seeds under the project. A team of Agriculture-Experts has been appointed specifically for the project.

Objectives:

1. To build up a systematic inventory of crop genetic resources of the Nanded, Latur and Osmanabad districts of the Maharashtra state.
2. To identify one variety in each district for pilot scale efforts on farm conservation, up gradation, value addition, marketing, and registration.
3. To establish district level seed banks focusing on traditional cultivaters of superior quality.
4. To engage educational institutions in study and promotion of crop genetic resources.

Activities:

1. Encouraged local farmers in collective “Traditional Seed saver groups” in 10 villages.
2. Undertook capacity building of 150 farmers on PPV & FR Act 2002, Biodiversity Act 2002, Organic farming & Value addition by in house & on field trainings & workshops.
3. Shared our field level experiences to larger groups through Seed exhibition, participating in Farmers festivals etc.
4. Established linkages with local institutions like KVK, Oil seed research center Latur & seed processing unit Nanded.
5. The detailed survey of 3 districts was carried out & selected crops.
6. Sevali Chilli for Nanded
7. Safflower for Latur
8. Sorghum for Usmanabad area.