A field day on “Successful Cultivation and Benefits of Millets” was organised 22.03.2024 by the Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), in collaboration with the Regional Research Station (RRS), Abohar at RRS, Abohar. The programme aimed at human resource development, initiating need based innovations, economic upliftment and creating awareness on millet cultivation among SC clusters in the traditional belt of millet cultivation. The event was well-attended by the farmers of the region.
Dr PK Arora, Principal Entomologist, Regional Research Station, Abohar, emphasized the need for inculcating healthy dietary habits and motivated the farmers to grow millets to save natural resources. He further mentioned that South-Western districts of Punjab were more suitable for cultivation of millets.
Dr Ruchika Bhardwaj, Millets Breeder, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, highlighted the importance of millets as nutricereals and also told about different cultivars of millets developed by PAU. She made the farmers aware of cultivation practices and specific traits of different varieties of millets, and their suitability for value addition. She further advised that farmers can grow specialty millet varieties developed by PAU to get good market price of their produce.
Dr Arshdeep Singh, Extension Specialist (Food Technology), Department of Food Science and Technology, PAU, elaborated on various processing techniques in millets. He mentioned different value added products which can be prepared from millets by retaining their nutritional benefits.
Dr Jagdish Arora, District Extension Specialist, RRS, Abohar, encouraged the farmers to actively participate in the extension programs and events to stay updated on the latest advancements in millet farming. He also highlighted the importance of imparting training to farmers in different aspects of millet cultivation and processing.
Dr Manpreet Singh, Senior Agronomist, RRS, Abohar, informed about different Kharif crops which could be cultivated in the region. He motivated the farmers to grow millets as the climatic conditions of the region were more suitable for millet cultivation. He thanked all the experts for sharing their knowledge and farmers for participating and attending the field day with enthusiasm.
Read more: https://www.pau.edu/index.php?_act=manageEvent&DO=viewEventDetail&dataE=datae&intID=8896
