HAILAKANDI, Dec 21 - For the conservation of landraces of rajmah, paddy, mustard and cucumber, an exploration programme was conducted in Hailakandi by a team of scientists from ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources of New Delhi.
The team of scientists consisting of Principal Scientist Dr KC Bhatt, and scientist from ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi RK Pamarthi, and Subject Matter Specialist (Horticulture) of ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Hailakandi AD Deepak Misra, visited all the five developmental blocks of Hailakandi district and other parts of Barak Valley from December 17 to 20 and collected different local types of rajmah, paddy and other underutilised crop seeds like local kalai (urd bean), cucumber, mustard etc., for their conservation in the National Gene Bank located at ICAR-NBPGR of New Delhi.
Barak Valley of South Assam is known for cultivation of rajmah in Assam. There are more than 15 landraces being grown by the farmers in Barak Valley. Though rice is the main crop in the valley, the farmers make good income from the sale of rajmah.
Rajmah is being grown along the banks of rivers Barak and Dholeshwari passing through the valley including farmers� fields and kitchen gardens. Rajmah is being sold in local markets as green pod vegetable, immature and matured grains for consumption as pulse.
