Cultivation area of hilly crops decreasing: experts

Shimla, Sep 21: Agricultural experts have expressed concern over the shrinking cultivation area of traditional hilly crops in Himachal Pradesh, saying several of these were on the verge of extinction.

Traditional crops like Chaulai, Mandua, Phaphra, Kaunni, Cheena, Satrangi Mash, Adzuki Bean and Kulthi are more nutritious and contain an equal or even more amount of proteins, amino acids and vitamins than wheat and rice, said experts participating in a workshop here yesterday.

They were participating in a workshop, ''Encouragement for cultivation of traditional crops of hilly region'', organised by the National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, Shimla, in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture.

Farmers and agriculture officers from different districts of the state participated in it.

Speaking on the occasion, Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI) Director S K Pandey said these crops are gaining importance in this era of globalization.

Agriculture Joint Director, Urmil Parmar, emphasized upon the efforts being made by the Agriculture Department to encourage cultivation of these crops.

UNI