KHONSA, Jun 17: In a bid to boost millet production and provide wide marketing linkages thereby igniting a ray of hope for the cash starved millet farmers of Deomali sub-division in Tirap district, an initiative called ‘Mission Arunachal Foxtail Millets’ was launched by DC Deomali Vishakha Yadav for the Deomali sub-division in collaboration with Farm Native Group.
Earlier pertaining to this, the first ‘direct interaction cum training awareness workshop’ with millet growers was conducted at Turet village on Thursday last. The second workshop was conducted the next day at Natun Kheti covering Soha and Deomali circle respectively. Millet growers from the villages of New Subang, Lamlo, Natun Kheti, Wasathong, Doidam, Turet and Soha gathered in a good number.
Highly endorsed and welcomed by the people of Deomali sub-division, the initiative aims to form collective clusters of farmers, boost millet production and provide them timely training by imparting the best farming practices in the upcoming months.
Furthermore, the millet growers shall be provided high quality organic seeds, small scale farm machineries and marketing-packaging linkages.
The resource person from Farm Native Group highlighted the importance of millets and plan of action through video display and pamphlets’ distribution.
The ADC, while acting as the moderator and resource person, told the participants that the goal is to make the millet farmers 'AtmaNirbhar', boost their livelihoods and percolate the importance of millets in this International Year of Millets 2023. In the upcoming months, efforts towards getting ‘organic certification’ for millets will be made.
ZPM Deomali Wangphoon Lowang enthusiastically took part in the discussion and urged the farmers to grow more millet in the coming years.
DAO Khonsa and his team of Deomali collaborated in the initiative with display of several varieties of foxtail millet.
Natun Kheti GB Wanghey Lammaty expressed gratitude to the ADC for bringing the focus back to millets in Tirap.
The highlight of the programme was the “agreement” reached between the Farm Native Group and the millet growers of Turet, Natun Kheti and Lamlo to buy and sell respectively the millet harvest of this current season.
To effect this, the ADC Deomali asked the DAO and staff to assess the quantum of production wherein the FNG shall provide packaging, marketting and transportation for the best price realization for millet growers.
Furthermore, the technical assistance to the farmers in post harvest technology and value addition would also be taken care of. It is noteworthy that this year Tirap has been selected for millet production for the scheme ‘One District One Product’. (DIPRO)