Barnyard millet field day was organized at ICAR-NBPGR, Farm Issapur on 16th Oct 2023. The entire set of 1888 diverse accessions of Barnyard millet from the National Genebank was grown and showcased for the first time at ICAR-NBPGR for their agro-morphological characterization. The occasion was celebrated to realize the goals of promoting “Shree Ann” as nutri-rich crops envisioned by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for achieving food, nutritional and environmental security. The scientists and millet researchers from various institutions, farmers and KVK personnel joined this event to have first hand view of the genetic variability for future utilization. The Chief Guest of the programme, Dr. G.P. Singh, Director NBPGR, emphasized on making collaborative research efforts to understand and efficiently utilize the precious diversity of Barnyard millet. Dr. R.K. Gautam, Head, Division of Germplasm Evaluation welcomed the participants and outlined the research activities on germplasm characterization and evaluation at Issapur Farm. Dr Badal Singh, OIC, Issapur Farm conducted and showed the Barnyard millet experiment along with field layout detail to the participants. The researchers and farmers evinced keen interest in millet diversity, shared their views and made germplasm selections in the field.

                                                            (Source : Dr.Badal Singh, ICAR-NBPGR)