Source: BL
Context:
At an international symposium on Shree Anna (Millets) and Women Farmers, held on Mandia Divas (Millets Day), Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan urged scientists to develop high-quality millet seeds to make millets a more profitable crop for farmers.
High-Quality Millet Seeds and GM/GE Crops in India
- Millet, also called Shree Anna or Mandia, is a nutrient-rich, climate-resilient crop and considered a “superfood.”
- Promoted under Mandia Divas (Millets Day) to enhance cultivation and farmer incomes.
Need to Make Millets More Profitable
- Farmers prefer crops that give better financial returns.
- To increase adoption, millets must become more profitable, with:
- Better seeds
- Lower cultivation cost
- Higher productivity
Odisha’s Model Appreciated
- Odisha increased millet productivity from 6 quintals/hectare to 12 quintals/hectare, above the national average.
- Odisha is the only state procuring millets at MSP, giving farmers assured income.
- Millets are also included in mid-day meals in Odisha—suggested to be expanded nationally.
Support for Women Farmers
- Millets strongly linked to tribal culture and women’s participation.
- Women SHGs and seed centres in Odisha help:
- Conserve traditional seeds
- Promote local millet-based foods
- Transfer indigenous knowledge to the next generation
Organic and Sustainable Farming Link
- Excess use of fertilisers and chemicals harms soil and health.
- Millets support:
- Low-input, climate-friendly farming
- Transition towards organic farming
- Millets are resilient to droughts and support climate adaptation.
GM (Genetically Modified) and GE (Gene-Edited) Crops
- GM Crops: Organisms with foreign genes inserted to confer desired traits like pest resistance, herbicide tolerance, or improved yield.
- GE Crops: Precision gene editing (e.g., CRISPR-Cas9) modifies the plant’s own genes without introducing foreign DNA.
Current Status in India
- GM Crops:
- Cotton (Bt cotton) is widely grown.
- GM mustard approved under regulatory trials.
- GE Crops:
- Currently under research and regulatory review for commercialization.
- Potential for traits like drought tolerance, pest resistance, and nutrient enhancement.
