5-day vocational training and millet recipe competition concludes

CCpur, Aug 27
As part of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) 100-days Action Plan, ICAR-KVK Churachandpur concluded a five-day vocational training and millet recipe competition today.
The event focusing on "Value-Added Product Preparation from Millets," was held at New Canaan village and Rani Gaidinliu Market, Churachandpur under the guidance of Dr Ramgopal Laha, Head of the Regional Centre, ICAR-RC for NEH Region, Manipur Centre, said a press release.
The training program was conducted with an aim to educate and empower local farmers on the benefits and techniques of millet cultivation and processing.
Dr Manoj Kumar Pandey, Senior Scientist cum Head, ICAR KVK, Churachandpur, provided insightful explanations on the significance of millets in enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
He emphasized that millets are an ideal solution for countries to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported cereal grains, as they require minimal inputs, are resistant to diseases and pests, and reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
The program also featured lectures by three resource persons, Hmannhring Anal, SMS (Agroforestry) who discussed millet production in India; Ph Chandramani Singh, SMS (Horticulture) who delivered a presentation on the production technology of millets and L Basil, STO (Farm Manager) who highlighted the future potential of millets as a sustainable food source.
Meanwhile, Dr S Roma Devi, SMS (Home Science) delivered an informative lecture on the importance of incorporating millets into daily diets.
She emphasized that millets are a whole grain packed with protein, antioxidants, and essential nutrients, offering numerous health benefits, including lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Furthermore, she noted that millets are gluten-free, making them an excellent choice for individuals with celiac disease or those following a gluten-free diet.
During the training programme, participants were also given hands on training on various value-added products made from millets.
The program was attended by 30 farm women and 20 rural youth from different villages of Churachandpur district who gained valuable insights into millet cultivation and processing techniques.
Dr Manoj Kumar Pandey concluded the program by reiterating the importance of millet cultivation in enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the region.