Special Correspondent

Panaji, Apr 16: Two Brinjal varieity originating in state's villages  will now be able to protect its identity in the world of vegetables following initiative by group of scientists to register them under central agricultural law.

Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR) Director Dr N P Singh told reporters that two varieties – Agassaim and Taleigao, are being taken up for their registration under Protection of Plants Variety and Farmers’ Right Act, 2001.

These brinjals are cultivated on stretches alongside the paddy field in Agassaim and Taleigao villages, which are in the neighbourhood of Panaji.

Singh said that a group of scientists are already working on the molecular study and DNA fingerprinting of these brinjals, which is crucial for making a case of registration under this act.

Local Germplasm Screening Committee, comprising scientists, required to be formed under this act has already been formed.

“Once they are registered, even if anyone replants these varieties at different location elsewhere in India, their names will be protected as Agassaim and Taleigao variety respectively,” the director said.

These brinjal varieties are fetching good market price and usually are sold on the makeshift outlets on the national highway which passes through these villages.

Singh said that these brinjals also fetch better price compared to its counterparts which are sources from neighbouring Maharashtra and Karnataka farms.

ICAR has already managed to registration for state’s mankurad cardes variety of Mango, which is found around Mapusa town, under this act.

Singh said that Red Rice variety, which is grown in the state, is also been contemplated to be registered under the act.