In view of the year 2023 being declared by the United Nations as the “International Year of the Millet”, following a proposal by India, farmers in Nagaland have been encouraged to cultivate millet, utilise the nutrient rich crop and reap the benefits.
A farmers’ awareness programme was organised by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) – Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), in collaboration with Farmers’ Cell, Nagaland University (NU) School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD) Medziphema at SASRD campus on Saturday in celebration of the “International Year of the Millet”.
Speaking at the programme, joint director of Agriculture, N. Jacob Yanthan said the department has prepared set of activities to commemorate the “International Year of the Millet”.
He said the department was targeting to increase the area of millets to about 10000 ha in the state from the existing 8000 ha, and informed that the department had procured about 25 MT of local seeds and distributed it to the farmers as inputs. Yanthan also encouraged the farmers to emphasise on cultivating the millet crop and utilise the nutrients rich crop and reap the benefits.
He said the department will be organising various activities such as documentation and publication of millet crops, exhibition, celebration of millet festivals at sub-divisions and districts, farmers and extension workers’ exposure trips to create awareness and impart a sense of public participation for the grain millet crop.
Earlier, in a welcome address, dean, NU: SASRD, professor, L. Daiho spoke on the importance millets and shared that at present millets were not only consumed in replacement of rice but also used in other forms for consumption.
In an introductory remark, Farmers Cell, in-charge, professor L. T. Longkumer asserted that millets could help tackle challenges of food security as they did not require as much care compared to other crops and had less water consumption rate.
At the programme, special number was presented by Dr. Chubatemsu and Tsarila Sangtam, vote of thanks by the coordinator, millet scheme, Dr. Pankaj Shah. Live streaming of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s address from ICAR, New Delhi and unveiling of the global millets conference were also part of the programme.
