SKUAST Wadura innovation: Newly established Seed Gene Bank aims to preserve Kashmir's indigenous crop varieties
Baramulla, Oct 19: In an important breakthrough aimed to conserve Kashmir’s agricultural biodiversity, the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Wadura has established a Seed Gene Bank, for preserving indigenous varieties of crops and supporting advanced agricultural research.
The officials said that the facility will serve as a vital resource for protecting and storing seeds under controlled conditions, which will ensure that they remain alive and viable for several decades. The initiative is likely to help safeguard traditional crop varieties that are at risk of extinction due to changing climate, modern cultivation practices, and loss of traditional farming knowledge.
Prof. Parvez Ahmad Sofi, Incharge Seed Gene Bank at SKUAST Wadura, said the project will play a major role in both research and conservation. “The gene bank is extremely important for research purposes and can play a crucial role in preserving our indigenous crop varieties,” he said. He said “Decades ago, Kashmir had nearly 150 local landrace varieties of rice. Unfortunately, most of them have vanished, and only a few, such as Mushk Budji, Zag Rice, and Kamad Rice, are still available today. The preserved seeds can ensure we don’t lose them forever.”
The primary objective of the Seed Gene Bank is to conserve the genetic diversity of plant species, especially traditional and native crops that hold cultural, nutritional, and ecological value. By storing seeds in low-temperature, low-humidity conditions, the facility will act as a biological insurance policy against natural calamities, pests, and the effects of climate change.
The gene bank will also enable scientific research, helping plant breeders and geneticists develop improved crop varieties that are more resilient to diseases, pests, and climatic stresses. "It will allow scientists to study the genetic traits of older landraces that may hold key properties، like aroma, nutritional value, or resistance to cold that modern hybrids lack. Preserving Kashmir’s Heritage" said Sofi. Experts at SKUAST believe the establishment of the gene bank marks an important milestone in reviving Kashmir’s agricultural heritage.
Traditional rice varieties like Mushk Budji are not only integral to local cuisine and culture but also to the region’s agricultural identity. The initiative will also encourage farmers and researchers to collaborate in identifying and collecting remaining traditional varieties still grown in remote areas, ensuring they are conserved for future generations. “With this step, SKUAST Wadura is not only strengthening its research capabilities but also contributing to the long-term food security and biodiversity conservation of the region,” Prof Sofi added.
