The ICAR-Directorate of Weed Research (DWR), Jabalpur organized a “Training cum interface meeting on advanced cultivation and importance of Millets (Shri Anna) under Scheduled Castes sub-plan (SCSP) on 8th February, 2023. More than 120 participants including farmers from different villages of Kundam, Sihora, Shahpura and Panagar localities, Jabalpur (M.P.), Scientists, Subject Matter Specialists from KVK, State Agricultural Officers and other stakeholders were participated in the programme.

Chief guest of the programme Dr. G.K. Koutu, Director Research Services, Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya (JNKVV), Jabalpur spoke about the importance of millets under changing climate and their role in human health and informed that millet will be a super food in future. He also talked about the GI tags given to some of the locally cultivated millet varieties of Madhya Pradesh to boost the economic value. Dr. R.P. Dubey, Principal Scientist, ICAR-DWR informed the farmers about composition of millets, importance in consumption, health benefits and advanced production technologies. Dr. S.S. Shukla, Professor & Head, Dept. of Food Science & Technology, JNKVV, Jabalpur briefed the farmers about processed products from millets, millet processing plants, processing methods and formation of FPOs to get more benefits. The farmers were requested to adopt the millets in their daily diet to improve the health benefits. Dr. P.K. Singh, Programme Coordinator informed the farmers about diversity in cultivating millets throughout India and their importance. He also briefed about the celebration of “International Year of Millets” and the role of ICAR in celebrating the “International Year of Millets”. Earlier Dr. J.S. Mishra, Director, ICAR-DWR talked about the millet cultivation techniques which are environment friendly and highly profitable.

A farmers-scientist interaction was also organized. During the interaction the chief guest briefed about “JK 147” Kodo variety; “Sitani” and “JK 4” Kutki varieties developed by JNKVV, Jabalpur and advised to cultivate these varieties to get more profit. The millet processing units available in the Jabalpur andhands on training provided to younger generation in the field of millet processing was also discussed. At the end farmers were requested to cultivate the millets through advanced production technologies at larger areas and include millet products in their diet. Dr. Yogitha Gharde, Senior Scientist and Dr. Chethan C.R., Scientist, ICAR-DWR coordinated the programme.