     On the eve of International Year of Millets (IYoM-2023), an Awareness programme on Traditional Millet Diversity Conservation and Biodiversity Fair was organised by the ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Hyderabad at Nowgada Village, Seethampeta Division, Manyam-Parvatipuram District, Andhra Pradesh on 21.02.2023. The programme was organised under Tribal Sub Plan in collaboration with WASSAN, an NGO to bring in awareness to the tribal farmers regarding the need and necessity of conservation of traditional millet diversity, keeping in view the erosion of agri-biodiversity especially in the tribal areas of North-coastal Andhra Pradesh. Over 200 tribal farmers, belonging to Savara and Jatapu tribal communities inhabitated in the high altitude regions of Palakonda, Seethampeta, Bhamini and Viraghattam Mandals of Andhra Pradesh participated.
The Programme began with ICAR invocation song, Savara Tribal song followed by lighting of lamp by the dignitaries. Dr K Anitha, Officer-in-Charge, ICAR-NBPGR Regional Station, Hyderabad welcomed the gathering and gave an overview and importance of the programme. In her address she expressed her gratitude to Team WASSAN for being instrumental in collaborating with ICAR-NBPGR for bringing in awareness to those farmers, particularly of the tribal and rural communities who have a long track record for conserving traditional millets diversity and agro-biodiversity in this region. She outlined the various activities of the Bureau, including germplasm exchange, Biodiversity Act, Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act and the National Gene Bank.
Shri. P, Devullu, State resource person, Natural Farming (RySS-Raithu Sadhikara Samstha) and Member, Governing Board, ANGRAU in the presence of other dignitaries and farmers inaugurated the Agro-biodiversity fair organised jointly by ICAR-NBPGR & WASSAN. Seed diversity in paddy and other cereals, sorghum and other millets, pulses, oilseeds, and underutilized legumes along with posters in vernacular language were displayed for the benefit of the participants. NGO partners viz., WASSAN and VELUGU also put up stalls displaying agro-biodiversity wealth of the region.
Dr. Sanyasi Rao @ Sunny, Regional Programme Manager, WASSAN, Mr P Devullu, State Resource person Natural Farming, Dr. N. Sivaraj, Principal Scientist, Dr. Lakshmi Narayana, Principal Scientist, ANGRAU, Mr Shanmukha Raj, District Programme Manager, Natural Farming, Manyam Parvathipuram district and Smt. Revathi, District Programme Manager, Natural Farming, Srikakulam district spoke on the traditional millet diversity and its importance and stressed the need for safe conservation, multiplication and distribution. The speakers also emphasised the need for sustainable agriculture including natural farming methods, seed quality and conservation of local biodiversity. An interactive session of Tribal farmers-NGOs-Scientists was also conducted. Representatives from NGOs such as WASSAN, ARTS, VELUGU, RySS, Sanjeevini participated in the session. During the session, some tribal farmers including women farmers shared their experiences on the importance of traditional varieties still in use in the region and their own efforts towards their conservation and sustainable agriculture. Select farmers were felicitated for their service towards conservation of local agri-horticultural crop diversity.
To promote traditional millet conservation and nutritional security among tribal farmers, a kit each consisting of one tarpaulin, sickle, biofortified Ragi- var. Indravathi (2 Kg) and Italian millet- var. SiA-1356 (1 Kg) along with literature published in vernacular language by the station were distributed to 200 selected farmers who were identified as beneficiaries. Millet dishes like Ragi malt and korra payasam (a dish made out of Italian millet) were served during the occasion.
Shri. Kalyan Patro of WASSAN acted as Master of Ceremonies during the event. Dr. L. Saravanan, Senior Scientist delivered the vote of thanks to all those who have contributed to the success of the programme and the programme ended with National Anthem.
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(Source : Dr K Anitha, ICAR-NBPGR, RS Hyderabad)
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