Millet Seeds: Chouhan Seeks Better Varieties on Mandia Divas
Why in the news
At a symposium on millets and women farmers on Mandia Divas, the Agriculture Minister asked researchers for better millet seeds so farmers earn more.
Key facts
- Event: international symposium on Shree Anna (Millets) and Women Farmers.
- Millet, also called Shree Anna or Mandia, is a climate-resilient superfood.
- To spread, it must pay better: improved seeds, lower cost, higher productivity.
- Millets suit low-input farming and the shift to organic farming.
Odisha model
- Yield doubled from 6 to 12 quintals/hectare, above the national average.
- Only state procuring millets at MSP; millets in mid-day meals, which the minister wants nationwide.
- Women SHGs and seed centres preserve traditional seeds and local millet foods.
GM versus GE crops
| Aspect | GM | GE |
|---|---|---|
| Method | Foreign genes inserted | Plant’s own genes edited, e.g. CRISPR-Cas9 |
| Traits | Pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, yield | Drought tolerance, pest resistance, nutrition |
| India | Bt cotton grown widely; GM mustard in regulatory trials | Under research and regulatory review |
Exam angle
- Mandia: millet; Mandia Divas: Millets Day.