Akhilesh Tiwari, Kanpur. The seeds of coarse grains Kodon, Samwa, Kutki, Kakun, which have become endangered due to the storm of high yielding species of wheat and rice, will now be prepared in the seed fields of Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology. Farmers will also be taught scientific methods of cultivating coarse grains by identifying species useful for Kanpur and surrounding areas. The university has also procured seeds of coarse cereals from Hyderabad-based Indian Institute of Grain Research (ICAR-IIMR).
CSA will provide quality seeds
The seeds of coarse grains Ragi, Kodon, Sanwa, Kutki, Kakun, which have become endangered due to the storm of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, will now be produced in the seed fields of Chandrashekhar Azad University of Agriculture and Technology. About 40 years ago the University has been a leading breeding institute for new species of crops like Kodon, Sava and Kakun. Now again the university is preparing itself for this. The objective of preparing coarse grain seeds is to provide quality seeds to the farmers for farming.
Millet Year was celebrated two years ago
Two years ago, on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the whole world celebrated the Year of Millets. Among coarse grains, now only jowar, millet and maize are being cultivated in Uttar Pradesh. Cultivation of highly nutritious grains Ragi, Kodon, Sawa, Kakun has almost stopped. Whereas the demand for these crops included in super food is increasing in the market. The central government has planned to encourage farmers to cultivate coarse grains.
500 crore budget allocated in UP
Under this scheme, a budget of Rs 500 crore has also been allocated to Uttar Pradesh Agricultural Research Council. Under this, a seed bank of coarse grains will be prepared in CSA, where seeds of such grains will be made available which can be easily cultivated in Kanpur and surrounding districts as well as in Uttar Pradesh and farmers will also get better grain production. Under this, coarse grain seeds have been procured from South India. The seeds of JT Sawan, a species of Sawan, have been brought from Acharya Narendradev Agricultural University, Kumarganj, Ayodhya. Farmers will be encouraged to cultivate all these. A training program for farmers is also being organized in CSA on the 5th of next month.
CSA had developed new species 40 years ago
Kodo and Sawan, which are included in the grains i.e. coarse grains, are not being cultivated in the agricultural areas of CSA today, but 40 years ago the scientist Dr. RR Gupta had developed many species of these grains. In this, Koda species KK-1, KK-2, Nirmal KM-13 and KM-65 of Madua, Sanwa species Anurag, Kanchan, Chandan and Kakun, Bhavana and Jetty Sawa, Kakun species Nischal have also been included.
Specialty of Kodo and Sawa
It is an environment friendly crop which can be grown even in natural rainfall without irrigation. Buckwheat is considered to be the richest grain on nutritional parameters. It is also considered anti-cancer and is helpful in reducing weight. Its use is also beneficial in knee and bone joint arthritis. It is also anti-diabetic and helpful in eliminating neuro problems. Sawna is very high in protein and has very low calories. It is also a good source of phosphorus and magnesium.
There are many species of grains including Kodon, Sava, Kakun which have almost gone out of use. Their demand has increased as super food. A seed bank will be created in CSA to provide quality seeds to the farmers. - Pro. RK Yadav, Director Research and Dissemination