Mysuru: This could be good news for a state which has witnessed a spurt in farmer suicides in recent weeks. The Mysuru-based CFTRI has improvised on two highly nutritious crops from abroad, which are said to be in high demand in the international market, to suit local conditions. These crops can be grown in dry soil with less water.
According to CFTRI Director Mr Ramarajasekaran, two rare seeds, Chia and Quinoa which are grown in foreign countries, have been adapted to Indian conditions with three years of research. Now, CFTRI plans to enter into an MoU with Raitha Mithra Farmers Producer Company Ltd (RMFPC) and Nutri Planet Food Pvt Ltd to help farmers.
The RMFPC led by farmer leader Kurubur Shanthakumar has 1,200 farmers as members from eight districts including Mysuru, Chamarajnagar, Haveri, Dharwad, Uttara Kannada, Bijapur, Bagalkot and Belagavi. To begin with, 200 farmers have expressed their willingness to experiment with the new seeds. Initially, the seeds will be distributed among 100 farmers and they will grow it in an acre each to begin with.
The company is reportedly being supported by Nabard, which will aid and support farmers by providing low interest loans and help them buy latest farm technologies. The crop requires very less water compared to ragi and jowar, Mr Shanthakumar said. The produce will be used to manufacture food products too.
Chia seeds which are commercially grown in Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina Ecuador, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Australia, is said to be a rich source of Vitamin B, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous and zinc and so are Quinoa seeds.
