UP Ag Minister Surya Pratap Shahi: Millets Prevent Deadly Diseases And Climate Change

On Sunday, the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) hosted a two-day seminar and workshop for farmers. During the event, the state agriculture minister, Surya Pratap Shahi, expressed that the preservation of Bundelkhand's dignity and pride is a shared dream and commitment of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yogi Adityanath. The chief secretary, Durga Shankar Mishra, and the additional chief secretary of agriculture, Devesh Chaturvedi, were also in attendance.

The minister appealed to the public to increase their consumption of 'Shree Anna' (millets), emphasizing their high nutrient and mineral content that can boost immunity and aid in the fight against fatal diseases. Additionally, he encouraged farmers to take an interest in cultivating the Zayed crop, with the government offering seeds at subsidized rates. 

To address the issue of 'Anna' cattle, the minister advised farmers to confine their cattle to their fields so that the urine and dung can be utilized as natural fertilizers and insecticides, thereby enhancing crop production and soil fertility.

During his visit to Lalitpur, the minister announced that the government had waived a sum of Rs 36,000 crore for farmers in 2017. Additionally, he mentioned that after the loan waiver, a compensation of Rs 168 crore was distributed for crop insurance under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana. 

As part of the events taking place under the International Millets Year-2023, a seminar and exhibition of crops are being organized under the national food security mission and natural farming scheme, with a special focus on promoting millets in the Bundelkhand region. Discussions are also being conducted to encourage the expansion of horticulture crops in the area through natural farming schemes and forest strategies.

The chief secretary suggested that millet should be referred to as "Shree Anna" because of its rich nutritional value and status as a complete food. According to him, it has been a part of our Vedic civilization since ancient times and is like a "Sanjivani" herb that can prevent stress-related diseases.

The cultivation of millets is being done in an area of 1,800 hectares out of the total 0.5 million hectares of land used for Rabi and Kharif crops in Jhansi, as stated by the district magistrate, Ravindra Kumar.

-TOI

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