Farmer participants and officials during the awareness programme at State Agricultural Station, Yisemyong, Mokokchung on June 5.
Yisemyong, July 7 (MExN): An awareness programme for farmers under ICAR-IIMR sponsored Millets Promotion Scheme was organized by the Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding (GPB), School of Agricultural Sciences & Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University, Medziphema in collaboration with State Agricultural Station, Yisemyong, Mokokchung on June 5.
Addressing the farmers, Temsiunla, Joint Director, SASRD urged the farmers to recognize the adverse effects of climate change. “Farmers need to alter agricultural practices so as to mitigate the ill effects of global climate change in agricultural crops,” she stated.
Dr Pankaj Kumar Shah, Assistant Professor and Coordinator Millets Scheme, Department of GPB, NU SASRD, emphasized the nutritional importance of millets. He said that owing to richness in nutrition the millets have also been regarded as nutri-cereals. Dr Shah pointed out that millets are high in dietary fibre, devoid of gluten and also good sources of minerals and vitamins which are needed for normal functioning of human being.
He highlighted an overview about the Millets Promotion Scheme sanctioned to SASRD by ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad. He informed that a primary processing unit for millets is being established at department of GPB, SASRD, NU, Medziphema so that initial processing and value addition of millets could be done, stated a press release received here.
Dr Keviletsu Khathe, Senior Scientist cum Head, KVK, Yisemyong and Dr Tokiho Achumi, Assistant Chief Technical Officer, KVK, Mokokchung reminisced that millets are smart crops since they are helpful in conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Dr Achumi highlighted the importance of various millets with power point presentation. Thepfukolie Kehie and Barbara Humtsoe delivered presentations on enhanced jhum composting and climate change.
A group of 60 farmers and farm women from nearby villages participated in the programme.
