Ganderbal: Department of Botany, School of Life Sciences (SLS), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) Thursday organized a “Millet Awareness Webinar” in Science Campus to celebrate the international year of Millets, under the G20 University Connect.
Registrar, Prof. M Afzal Zargar who was the chief guest on behalf of Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A Ravinder Nath stressed on educating locals on millets, promoting their daily use, giving incentives to farmers to adopt millet cultivation in J&K.
Director R&D, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah stressed that the world is facing multiple challenges like climate change, shortage of food grains, over-population, poverty, hunger, spread of lifestyle diseases. He laid emphasis on the need to promote millets as alternative foods under the aegis of IYM-23.
Dean, SLS & Head Deptt. of Zoology, Prof. M Yousuf talked about millets gaining popularity as alternative foods among rich people who consider it privilege to consume millet recipes.
In her address, Prof. Azra N Kamili (Nodal Person Botany deptt and webonar convener) shared ‘quick facts on millets’ and remarked that India wants to position itself as ‘Global Hub for Millets’ through IYM-23 activities at national & International level.
Head Deptt of Biotechnology & Co-convener, Dr. Abid Hamid Dar informed the audience that India has surpassed China as diabetic capital of world and millets can be a solution due to their low glycemic content.
Dr. Vijay Kumar Yadav, Principal Scientist IGFRI-ICAR, Jhansi who was the invited guest speaker talked about ‘millets-coarse grain to nutri-cereals’ and said that millets can be used to reduce ‘rising’ cases of colon cancer in J&K. “Prosomillets can be consumed by patients facing celiac diseases. India has developed 17 biofortified millet varieties on World Food Day.” He said that ICAR-IIMR (Hyderabad) provides incubation services as a nutri-hub for farming of millets in India. Local youth can become entrepreneurs to promote consumption of millets in J&K. He said we should develop ‘millet gardens’ in villages & cities to promote millet awareness.
Asst Prof. Dr. Sajad Ahmad Lone conducted the programme proceedings, proposed the vote of thanks and was also the rapporteur.

KR Desk