Rajasthan Governor Pitches Millets Cultivation to Provide Nutritious Food for Growing Population

On Thursday, Rajasthan’s Governor Kalraj Mishra pitched for the cultivation of millets at all levels in order to provide nutritious food to the expanding population of the world.

He said that regular consumption of nutrition-rich cereals nourishes the body's immunity, so more and more efforts should be made to publicize the products of coarse cereals among the general public.

Mishra was addressing the convocation ceremony of the Shri Karna Narendra Agricultural University of Jobner virtually on Thursday in Raj Bhawan.

Millets, jowar, kodo, ragi, samwa, chena, kangni, and kutki have traditionally been a part of Indian food. According to Mishra, coarse grains are still an important part of the diet of common people in most parts of Rajasthan.

This is the time for smart agriculture said the governor. Some of the techniques have ushered in a new revolution in agriculture like remote sensing, robotics, IoT, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics. 

Regarding smart farming, he said that farmers should be aware of new techniques relating to smart farming and agricultural universities will have to make farmers aware of the techniques.

Furthermore, keeping in view the deteriorating weather system Mishra said there is a need to give a new element to agricultural education, the lack of means of irrigation, and the crisis in biodiversity. He recommended a detailed study on climate change pointing out the side effects of untimely rainfall and hailstorms on agriculture under the Krishi Vigyan Kendras.

He said that to achieve the desired goals of expanding agricultural production, food production and storage for food security, and providing adequate nutritious food, there is a need to prepare effective methods for farmers by combining ancient and new knowledge of agricultural practices.

During the ceremony, 32 students were awarded Ph.D., 75 Post Graduates, 3 Integrated Agriculture Post Graduate degrees, 985 Agriculture Graduate degrees, and 8 students were awarded gold medals.