Rythu Donostvam (23-12-2021) At Regional Agricultural Research Station, Warangal

Awareness programme on "Millets cultivation" was organized at Neerukulla village of Atmakur Mondal in Warangal rural district in connection with National farmers Day on 23.12.2021.More than 200 farmers were gathered on the occasion.Dr.R.Uma Reddy,Associate Director of Research,RARS,Wgl has chaired the occasion and G.V.Subba Reddy,Vice President,Coromandal Fertilizers Limited has graced the occasion as chief guest. Two woman farmers namely Mogullamma, Recipient of Naripuraskar award for 2019 from The President, India and Equator award from UNESCO at New York and Laxmamma, recipient of many awards from State government for preserving wild varieties of pulses, millets and oil seeds, who are closely working with Deccan Development Society in Zaheerabad,were invited as resource persons on the occasion. Scientist Dr Rajendrakumar from IIMR, Hyd has also presented on the occasion. Dr.B.Anil Kumar has invited all the guests on to the Dias, welcomed the farmers and explained the importance of the meeting. While speaking on the occasion Dr.U.Nagabhushanam, has explained in detail about the agronomic practices to be followed in rice fallows in millet cultivation. Dr Rajendrakumar, Sr Scientist (Pl Br) from IIMR, Hyd, while addressing the gathering he explained about the importance of different varieties in millets. While interacting with farmers, the woman farmers, Laxmamma and Mogulamma have strongly advocated, by sharing their experiences, the farmers to cultivate variety of millets, oil seeds and pulses at a time or in rotation by highlighting their importance in our daily diet, pest management, soil health restoration, less investment, less water requirement etc. Our farmers were inspired immensely from their experiences. Few farmers have purchased millets on the spot, from the seed stall arranged by IIMR,Hyderabd for the purpose, for cultivating during this rabi in rice fallows. Many Farmers, gathered on the occasion, were excited very much after knowing their contribution and recognition in return from different plat forms across the world through DDS. Consequently many of them including ZPSS Old students have come forward to felicitate them on the occasion. While speaking on the occasion Chief Guest G.V.Subba Reddy,Vice President,Coromandal Fertilizers Limited,Hyd said that “crop diversification” is one of the best options available for sustainable agriculture, and he further said that using sufficient quantities of organic manures along with recommended dose of chemical fertilizers would only improve soil health and enhances fertiliser use efficiency. He shared relevant technical information and his vast/valuable experience. Exhibition of millets was also organized on the occasion.