Millet Centre to be set up in Karnataka's Dharwad area

Dharwad, June 3 (ANI): Having come into existence only last year in June in Hyderabad, the State capital of Andhra Pradesh, Millet Network of India (MINI) today has over 90 members in 12 States of India.

Millet Network of India (MINI) considers millets as "God's Own Crops", as it believes millets respond to multiple farming challenges being faced today. It is beneficial as it can also be grown in very harsh environment under rain-fed conditions. It requires very low or no external inputs.

It is a part of the Crops of Truth as described by the Deccan farmers. They offer multiple securities to the farmers: food, fodder, health and nutrition, livelihood and ecological. They have the capacity to respond to the latest challenges such as climate change INI's goal is to restore for millets their lost status and glory on the farming, food and cultural landscape of India.

Women have been growing millets in 5,000 acres semi-arid area in Medak District of Andhra Pradesh since 1996.

Every year, they are producing 20,000 tonnes (2 million kilograms) of surplus grains.

A part of this production is allocated for community grain bank, which runs an alternate public distribution system using this store.

Country's first millet based public distribution system has provided food security to around 50,000 families in the region.

On June 5, on the occasion of its first anniversary, Millet Network of India (MINI) is setting up a Millet Centre in Dharwad (Karnakata) and will be inaugurated at Bala Balaga campus in Malamaddi.

The centre will initiate various activities to popularise millets and restore their use in daily life.

Dr. Basavananda Swamy of Nature Therapy Centre at Siroor in Bagalkot District will inaugurate the centre.

Dr. Nirmala Enagi, Head of Food Science and Nutrition Department, Rural Home Science College, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and Dr. Shanthakumar, Associate Professor, Main Agriculture Research Station, UAS would speak on the significance of millets.

The inaugural function, co-organised by Atmadeepa, an organisation for Health and Environment, and Centre for Agricultural Media.

The other dignitaries will include convener of Millet Network of India and Director of Deccan Development Society, P.V. Sateesh and Dr. Sanjeev Kulkarni, President of Atmadeepa will be among the dignitaries who will participate in the programme.

An exhibition of millet varieties will also be held on the occasion and millet dishes will also be served. (ANI)