Assam: New brand of millets launched in Nagaon

NAGAON: To increase the acreage and coverage of area under millet cultivation, including the production of Foxtail millets, their value addition and processing, their marketing, promotion of FPO etc., the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Assam RO had implemented a model millets project (MMP) in Borbeel cluster region of Kathiatoli Development Block, Nagaon.

The programme was implemented by Kolong Kapili with guidance and support from KVK-Nagaon and the Department of Agriculture. The project was inaugurated in February, 2023 by GM-NABARD, Nabin Kr Roy.

After the successful harvesting of Foxtail millets and their processing, a separate brand of millets from Nagaon district viz. ‘Naba Borbeel Kani Dhaan’ was launched by the District Commissioner of Nagaon, Narendra Kr Shah in presence of DDC-Nagaon Satyajit Chetia; DDM-NABARD Rajendar Perna; principal scientist & head of KVK, Nagaon, Dr Niranjan Deka; and others.

Speaking on the occasion, Rajendar Perna, DDM-NABARD informed the gathering that on the basis of baseline survey conducted in this area and the interest evinced by the farmers, the PIA Kolong Kapili mobilized around 50 farmers with minimum 3 bigha each and after testing of soil contents, the identified farmers were provided vermicomposting units (25) as well as fertilizers.

Under the project, apart from land preparation and capacity building training, the beneficiaries were also provided with Foxtail millet seeds, super bags (200) one 3HP motor pulverizer machine and one dehusker-cum- polisher machine etc. Besides, continuous support was provided to the beneficiaries by DDM-NABARD, KVK, Nagaon and the PIA till the crop-cutting exercise. Apart from this, as per the suggestion of the local office of Assam Seed Corporation in Nagaon, the harvest was processed and preserved in the seed bank. The same is being utilized for processing the harvest into flour and fine, consumable grains and will also be utilized as seeds for sowing by the farmers during the next season.

DDM-NABARD Rajendar Perna also informed that NABARD was planning to send selected farmers for an exposure visit to reputed institutions for learning about various processing options, so that their products can be onboarded to e-commerce portals like ONDC, Amazon etc.

Dr Niranjan Deka from KVK, Nagaon and a few of the beneficiary farmers, including Jyotish Talukdar from PIA Kolong Kapili, shared their experiences regarding the implementation of the project and appreciated the vision of NABARD for launching the Nagaon district’s own brand of millets.

In his remarks, Nagaon DC Narendra Kr Shah congratulated NABARD and the PIA for successfully implementing the project and launching a separate brand of millets for the Nagaon district. He also congratulated the officials from KVK, Nagaon for supporting the programme. He also requested the bankers to extend the much-needed credit support so that more farmers can take up millet cultivation and processing activities to get a better income.

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