SwitchON Foundation organizes awareness drive on Millet Cultivation in Purulia
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Kolkata: SwitchON Foundation on the occasion of the ‘International Day of the World’s Indigenous People’ took on an awareness drive among the farming communities of Purulia on Millet farming.
The event saw participation of important Govt. Officials, CSOs and SHGs members from Jhalda and Hura Block of Purulia in an effort and aspiration to increase production, ensure efficient processing and consumption, promote a better utilization of crop rotations, and encourage better connectivity throughout food systems.
The initiative aims to bring back the forgotten millets as a key component to the food system, which also happens to be part of the indigenous communities cultivation around the world.
The crops also have the potential to address climate change and food security, as it requires less water than rice and wheat, which makes them suitable for small farmers.
With an increasing population and limited water resources, promotion of millets should be seen as the last resort to avoid food shortages and an agrarian disaster due the climate crisis. While ensuring our farmers’ livelihoods are also protected.
Vinay Jaju, MD, SwitchON Foundation said, “We acknowledge the special relationship that indigenous communities have with their lands. They play a critical role in preserving the culture which is intensively attached to the traditional farming practices. We must retain these indigenous varieties of food and knowledge systems which are considered sustainable ways of living in today’s world.”
Under this drive, SwitchON plans to conduct various awareness campaigns and workshops, with an objective to share knowledge and Inspire stakeholders on improving sustainable production and quality of millet.
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