As UN approves millet year, farmers assured of new seed varieties
Following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a consensus resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations declaring next year as the International Year of Millets, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has begun series of researches to introduce several millet seed varieties to Nigerian farmers ahead of the […]
Millet farmers
Following the United Nations General Assembly’s adoption of a consensus resolution sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations declaring next year as the International Year of Millets, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) has begun series of researches to introduce several millet seed varieties to Nigerian farmers ahead of the slated year.
This was disclosed by ICRISAT country representative in Nigeria, Dr Hakeem Ajeigbe, during Pearl Millet field day held at Minjibir Local Government Area of Kano State.
According to him, the International day is aimed at raising awareness about the health benefits of the grain and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions.
He explained that ahead of the International Year of Millet, the research institute in collaboration with other agricultural research institutes has been working on the development of various millet seed varieties that will soon be handed over to farmers in an attempt to promote both domestic and industrial usage of the crop.
Similarly, Dr Vabi Michael of ICRISAT revealed that millets are a traditional food across Africa and Asia, largely consumed in their natural forms, adding that increasing awareness of millets and their health benefits is helping and fueling its return to plates and expansion of farms, as well as adding value to agricultural practices.