To encourage conservation of biodiversity and ethnicity, the Tata Steel’s Sukinda Chromite Mine (SCM) on Friday organised an agro forest food festival where 100 rare near-extinct indigenous varieties of paddy were displayed.
The ‘Prajatiya Khadyotsav’, held at Sukinda, is an initiative to contribute to the National Biodiversity Target (NBT) of 2020. The event showcased an array of agro-food diversities among different ethnic groups of Odisha.
The MS Swaminathan Research Foundation and the Biju Patnaik Medicinal Plants Garden and Research
Centre of Koraput displayed 100 rare near-extinct indigenous collections of paddy like Khuji, Jhupuramundi, Chitipiti and Butuki.
Besides tribal farmers of Koraput, Raimati Ghiuria having 40 indigenous varieties of rice Alasikba, Duburaj, Bagadichudi and Cheteka and 12 varieties of finger millets Silijanha and Janha and Tularam Balia having collection of 97 indigenous varieties of paddy like Jakasaru, Muktabali and Haladichudi shared their experiences.
The exciting part of the programme was exhibition and cooking of ethnic and traditional food in which more than 60 varieties were displayed.
lauding the initiative, Odisha Biodiversity Board senior scientist Prasad Das said such programes would go a long way in promoting the cause of biodiversity.
Tata Steel Ferro Alloys and Minerals Division GM (Operations) Pankan Satija said this is part of a series of similar events being held to contribute towards the NBT.