The national release of high oleic groundnut varieties Girnar 4 (ICGV 15083) and Girnar 5 (ICGV 15090) in India in 2020 generated interest among public and private seed producing agencies, leading to its quick uptake. To ensure production of seed with the highest genetic purity, especially for confectionery industries, actors across the commodity value chain were oriented on procedures and guidelines. Over 65 participants from public and private seed producing agencies, food companies, policymakers, groundnut breeders, and National Agricultural Research Systems participated in the hybrid virtual meet.
Framing the right guidelines: Dr Arvind Kumar, Deputy Director General – Research, ICRISAT, said, “I see this as a very timely meeting with policymakers to set guidelines to ensure genetic purity for the benefit of seed producing agencies associated with seed production and dissemination of these two varieties. This is a great opportunity for breeders to take timely action and follow these guidelines to help the farmers, the industry and the government system in the area of cultivation.’’