CUO Researcher identified High yielding and Nutrition rich Ragi from Koraput Valley of Eastern Ghats.
Nishapati Nayak,Odishabarta
Koraput:Researchers from Central University of Odisha(CUO) identified some high yielding local Finger millet genotypes cultivated by the tribal areas of Koraput region of Eastern Ghats of India that showed superior nutritional and yield traits. These valuable varieties will address food and nutritional security to tribal inhabitants.
The research was conducted by Dr Debabrata Panda, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biodiversity and Conservation of Natural Resources at the Central University of Odisha and did his research on nutritional and climate resilience traits of local finger millet from Koraput for last 10 years. Dr. Panda did his research on 33 Indigenous finger millet genotypes from Koraput and studied their grain yield and nutritional traits. He reported the results based on the synthesis of experiments carried out at laboratory of Central University of Odisha and Swaminathan Research foundation.
Recently, December 31st his group published their findings of Research in the Journal of Cereal Research Communications, an International Reputed Pear reviewed Springer Link Journal. He has identified some high yielding finger millet genotypes like Bhalu, Ladu, Telugu and Bada better than the improved hybrid varieties.
Three varieties such as Telgu, Bada and Dushera showed better nutritional compositions (higher protein, Carbohydrate, fiber, ash, energy content) and exceptional rich in flavonoid and antioxidants. Their yield capacity is higher than the improved variety Bhairabi, Chillika, Arjuna. These superior millets might be reliable food and nutritional security crops for tribal people of the locality. Dr Panda suggested these superior traditional finger millet genotypes should be popularised for mass cultivation and consumption in the locality by the mission. It is high time that we take necessary steps to conserve these valuable genetic resources of millet in their natural habitat.
A strategy to promote commercial production of these indigenous millet is required to boost the local economy.
