IFFCO Kisan Signs MoU with ICAR-IIMR to Promote Bio-fortified Pearl Millet Cultivars via FPOs

The ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) with IFFCO Kisan virtually to promote Bio-fortified Pearl Millet cultivars through FPOs in Karnataka’s Koppal district on Monday (5 September).

Through this mutual agreement, the farmer-producer organizations in Telangana, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh will get seeds, technology orientation, advice dissemination, and capacity building on the packaging of biofortified seeds in terms of nutritional content and its benefits.

Dr. C. V. Ratnavathi, Director of ICAR-IIMR said the Institute will link farmers and FPOs with the knowledge partner IFFCO Kisan. Dr. Ratnavathi underlined the need for creating awareness of bio-fortified seeds and nutritional values of Millets.

Praveer Srivastava, COO of IFFCO Kisan said that IFFCO Kisan will distribute seeds and also assured the buyback of Pearl Millet at farm gate from FPOs at the best price by replicating its pilot project in districts of Karnataka, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.

Siddharth Bhattacharya, Lead - Partner Relationships in IFFCO Kisan said that with the help of ICAR-IIMR, we will work towards on-boarding of farmers and FPOs, trainings, capacity building on better package practices, technology orientation & seed distribution to shareholders of FPOs & better market linkages to farmers.

About Pearl Millet

Pearl Millet, popularly known as bajra is a profoundly nutritious as well as an easy-to-digest cereal grain. It is a healthy option for people with a gluten allergy and celiac disease.