Indigenous mash varieties from state gain national recognition

In a significant step toward conserving indigenous agricultural heritage, four farmers’ varieties of mash — Hullu mash KDM1, Bandla mash PTM9, Bandla mash KSM12, and Chanalag mash RDM11 — have been officially registered under the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights (PPV&FR) Act, 2001. The registration was granted by the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA).

This achievement was made possible through the efforts of Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, especially the work of Dr Anita Singh, Scientist (DST). Vice Chancellor Prof. Naveen Kumar congratulated Dr. Singh for her key role in purifying and conducting DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity, and Stability) characterization of each variety, as well as for generating vital agronomic and commercial data.

Dr Singh also guided the authorised farmers through the registration process and conducted awareness campaigns in villages such as Hullu (Mandi), Bandla and Chanalag (Bilaspur). These initiatives helped local farmers understand the importance of conserving indigenous varieties and the legal rights they hold under the PPV&FR Act.

This work was carried out under a DST-funded project titled “Collection, multiplication, documentation, cataloguing and registration of farmers’ varieties of kidney bean, black gram and buckwheat of Himachal Pradesh.” The project was supported under the Women Scientist Scheme-B of the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India.

The registration ensures intellectual property rights for farmers, recognizing their role in conserving and improving traditional plant genetic resources. It also promotes both in situ and ex situ conservation of these varieties.

With this recognition, the market potential of these indigenous mash varieties — known for their unique flavour, aroma, and high nutritional value — is expected to grow. Proper labelling and packaging can improve their commercial value and farmer incomes. This milestone highlights the power of collaboration between scientific research and local farming knowledge in preserving India’s agro-biodiversity.

Himachal Tribune