Chattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has instructed the authorities to boost the production of forgotten millets like Ragi and Kodo-Kutkiin the state, in the wake of its rising demand and popularity in the global market.
CM has said that the state is already producing millets on large scale. The proper distribution, collection, and value addition of millets will provide for a better mode of income and employment for farmers, women, and youngsters in the state.
He further added that by increasing the production of kodo, kutki, and ragi, various goods and products can be prepared and effectively distributed in the state, in order to boost its consumption. These millets are largely produced in the regions of Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Jagdalpur, Dantewada, Sukma, Rajnandgaon, Kawardha, Bemetara, and Sarguja in Chattisgarh.
Chief Minister has proposed for the marking of special development zones as millet cluster for boosting the cultivation of millets by using sustainable farming techniques.
Proper marketing facilities will be installed at the rural production units in the state with special importance to proper hygiene and packaging.
The state government is providing for proper machinery, best quality seeds, and advanced scientific techniques with the help of Agro-Science Centres to guide the farmers for millet cultivation.
It is to be noted that the state government has decided to procureKodo- kutki at MSP along with including it in Rajeev Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojna.
Chattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce(Trading and Development) Co-operative Federation is approaching the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad for promoting millet production in the state.
The Kodo and kutki millets are grown majorly by the tribals of Bastar and in other parts of the state but since the yield is less than paddy and wheat, most farmers have given up cultivating it.
According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, millets are drought-tolerant and resistant to climate change. Cultivation of millets requires less water than rice and wheat, which makes them suitable for small growers.
Source: https://www.patrika.com/raipur-news/production-of-kodo-kutki-ragi-will-be-promoted-in-mission-mode-in-ch-6939130/
