Dharwad: Joint director of agriculture Manjunath Antarvalli has called upon the farmers to grow millets and supply quality food items to the domestic market.
Speaking after flagging off ‘Walk for Millet’ organised by the agriculture department in Dharwad on Thursday, he said the farmers growing millets should be encouraged in all possible ways.
“Popularly known as superfoods, the millets which are little wonders have been the most sought-after food post-pandemic. High in nutritional values, the doctors too have been advising people to reinvent the ethnic food items evolving around millets to overcome nutritional deficiencies. The need of the hour is to encourage farmers to grow millets and supply quality food products to the domestic market,” he said.
Manjunath revealed that in Dharwad district, 2,200 farmers have grown millet and have bagged incentives to the tune of Rs two crore.
“Kalghatagi taluk stands first in the list of millet growing with over 1,500 farmers opting for millets. Efforts are being made to encourage farmers from other taluks to grow millet. The department has come out with a slew of measures to expand the millet growing area,” he added.
Known as ‘miracle food’, millet occupied the centre stage in ancient Indian cuisine. However, over the year, millet growing had received a setback due to various external factors. As lifestyle diseases are on the rise, millets have once again made a strong comeback, the officer asserted.
He informed that the department, in order to facilitate the farmers get a comprehensive insight into the growing, processing and marketing of millet, has launched several initiatives. Therefore, the farmers have to opt for millet and help in creating a healthy society, he remarked.
The state government gives a sum of Rs 10,000 incentive per hectare for the millet growers. As this crop could be grown throughout the year and under harsh climate, farmers are less likely to incur a loss. Farmers have to form small groups and engage in processing and marketing which will fetch them good revenue, said Manjunath.
