Union Minister Sanjay Seth Advocates for Ranchi as India's Millets Hub
In a significant push for agricultural innovation, Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth made a compelling appeal on Saturday, urging agricultural scientists and farmers in Jharkhand to collaborate in transforming Ranchi into the millet capital of the country. This call to action was delivered during the inaugural function of the three-day Agrotech Farmers’ Fair held at Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) in Ranchi.
Strategic Initiatives for Military and Agricultural Growth
Seth announced that his ministry is prepared to enter into a formal agreement with BAU to facilitate the inclusion of biscuits and other millet-based products, developed by the institute, into military canteens nationwide. This initiative aims to boost the consumption of nutritious millets among armed forces personnel.
Furthermore, the minister emphasized the need for scientific research to formulate specialized, high-nutrition food for soldiers stationed in extreme conditions, such as border areas with temperatures plummeting to minus 40 degrees Celsius. He highlighted that such innovations are crucial for enhancing the health and resilience of India's defence forces.
Government Support and Success Stories
During the event, Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey detailed the state government's Madua Kranti Yojana, a scheme providing farmers with an incentive of Rs 3,000 per acre for cultivating madua (finger millet). Tirkey cited the remarkable success in Telangana, where the area under madua cultivation expanded from 20,000 hectares to 1 lakh hectares within just two years, urging Jharkhand to emulate this model to achieve similar growth in millet production.
Seth also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for inspiring a surge in the production and consumption of ragi over the past five years, noting that millet dishes are gaining popularity in hotels and social gatherings across the country.
Recognition and Future Directions
Kanke MLA Suresh Kumar Baitha stressed the importance of enhancing advisory services and training programs for farmers and rural communities to support sustainable agricultural practices. The fair also served as a platform to honor 14 progressive farmers for their exceptional contributions to innovative farming and animal husbandry, recognizing their efforts in advancing the agricultural sector.
This event underscores a concerted effort by government officials and agricultural stakeholders to promote millets as a key component of India's food security and economic development, with Ranchi poised to lead this transformative movement.
