Atar Singh, a farmer from Ichhala village in Vikasnagar, said that many farmers are choosing cash crops that give higher profits instead of traditional crops like millets. Singh encourages growing millets to keep traditional farming alive and to show the important health benefits these crops provide.
As farmers focus more on cash crops today, one farmer in Uttarakhand’s Vikasnagar is dedicated to growing traditional millet, known locally as 'kauri,' because of its health benefits.
Atar Singh, a farmer from Ichhala village in Jaunsar, observed that kauni used to be widely eaten, but many farmers have switched to cash crops that offer better profits. He believes it’s important to keep growing traditional crops like kauri to maintain farming traditions and diversify crops.
“Older people used to feed kauni to children to help with measles and fever. It is also thought to help manage high blood sugar,” Singh said.
Pest Resistance: Agricultural expert Shrichand Sharma explained that coarse grains like Konda (Ragi), Jhangora, Chaini, and Kauni have natural coverings that protect them from pests.
“The main threat to these crops comes from flocks of parrots. However, kauni is easy to grow and can survive drought. It’s important to grow traditional crops alongside cash crops,” Sharma added.
Dr. Sanjay Singh, a scientist at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Vikasnagar in Dehradun, pointed out that millets are nutritious and can be grown at a lower cost than other crops.
Nutritious Benefits: Millets are a good source of calcium, protein, and energy, and they help with various health issues. To promote their value, the Government of India and the United Nations have declared 2023 as the 'International Coarse Grain Year.' This initiative aims to support local produce, increase farmers' incomes, and encourage a return to traditional farming.
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