By TC News Desk
Agartala, 13th December 2024: Farmers in the Bishalgarh Agricultural Subdivision have accomplished a groundbreaking feat by successfully cultivating Kaun Millet during the winter season—a crop traditionally grown in summer.
This innovative initiative, led by the Agriculture Department in collaboration with the Indian Millet Research Center, Hyderabad, has been implemented in Raghunathpur and Champamura villages under the Bishalgarh Agricultural Sector in Sepahijala district.
As part of this pilot project, millet was cultivated on 2 hectares of land using 10 kilograms of seeds distributed among 10 farmers. The primary objective is to establish millet as a Rabi season crop, transforming previously fallow lands into productive areas for a second yield.
Agriculture Officer Prabir Dutta described the results as highly promising, with an impressive yield of 900 kilograms of millet per hectare.
“To encourage participation, we started with small plots so farmers could see the benefits firsthand. This strategy has already generated significant interest for upcoming seasons,” he said. The winter cultivation of Kaun Millet supports the region’s efforts to adapt to climate change while enhancing nutritional security. Traditionally, these lands yielded only one crop of summer paddy annually. Introducing millet not only diversifies crops but also increases agricultural productivity.
One of the participating farmers, Sanjit Banik from Champamura, shared his satisfaction with the project. Cultivating millet for the first time, Banik relied solely on cow dung as fertilizer, guided closely by agriculture officers. Despite being new to millet farming, he was thrilled with the yield from his one kani of land.
The Agriculture Department has bolstered farmers by providing training and essential equipment, including planting machines. Organically grown millet, which currently sells for Rs 150 per kilogram in the market, has further incentivized participation. Inspired by his success, Banik plans to expand his millet cultivation in future seasons.
This initiative not only represents a leap forward in agricultural innovation but also boosts the economic prospects of the region’s farmers. If this trend continues, Bishalgarh’s Kaun Millet could emerge as a staple winter crop, setting a benchmark for other regions to emulate.
