TRVK-MBNR-Empowering SC Farmers Through Sorghum Cultivation under ICAR-IIMR SC-SP Initiative at Mukthipad Village
TRVK, Mahabubnagar, organized a comprehensive awareness programme on Sorghum Best Management Practices (BMPs) at Mukthipad village of Kosgi Division in Narayanpet District under the SC-SP Project of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR). The programme aimed to enhance farmers’ knowledge on scientific sorghum cultivation, promote millet-based farming systems, and improve the livelihoods of Scheduled Caste (SC) farming communities in the region.
The programme was graced by distinguished scientists from ICAR-IIMR as chief guests, including Dr. R. Venkateswarlu, Dr. S. Sri Vidya, and Dr. M. Malathi. The event was also attended by Kodangal Congress In-charge Shri A. Thirupathi Reddy, who participated as a special guest and encouraged farmers to adopt millet cultivation for improved income and nutritional security.
As part of the programme, Shri A. Thirupathi Reddy, distributed sorghum seed variety PYPS-2 to 80 Scheduled Caste farmers of Kosgi Division under the ICAR-IIMR SC-SP Project. Jute bags were also distributed to all beneficiary farmers. He appreciated the efforts of ICAR-IIMR and TRVK, Mahabubnagar, in promoting millet cultivation among resource-poor farmers and emphasized the need to expand millet cultivation in the region considering its economic, nutritional, and environmental benefits.
During the technical session, Dr. P. Archana delivered a detailed presentation on the significance of millet cultivation and explained the best management practices for sorghum cultivation. She highlighted scientific recommendations on land preparation, seed treatment, nutrient management, weed control, and pest and disease management for achieving higher productivity.
Dr. R. Venkateswarlu elaborated on the processing and value-addition opportunities available in millet cultivation. He explained how sorghum and other millets can be transformed into various value-added products, creating additional income opportunities for farmers and rural entrepreneurs.
Dr. S. Sri Vidya and Dr. M. Malathi focused on soil health management practices and their importance in sustainable agriculture. They emphasized balanced nutrient management, soil testing, organic matter incorporation, and conservation practices for maintaining soil fertility and improving crop productivity.
District Agriculture Officer Sakriya Naik addressed the gathering and stressed the nutritional and health benefits of millets. He motivated farmers to increase the area under millet cultivation and assured support from the Agriculture Department for promoting millet-based farming systems in the district.
The programme witnessed active participation from 80 farmers, who interacted with the scientists and agricultural experts to clarify their queries related to sorghum cultivation and millet production technologies. The participants expressed keen interest in adopting the recommended practices and utilizing the improved sorghum variety distributed during the programme.
The awareness programme concluded with the distribution of PYPS-2 sorghum seed and jute bags to all participating farmers. The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to the promotion of millet cultivation, enhancement of farm incomes, improvement of nutritional security, and sustainable agricultural development among SC farming communities in Narayanpet District.
