Once a staple diet of the Aztec empire and a traditional diet of the Soliga tribe in southern Karnataka, Rajgira or Grain Amaranth, is slowly gaining popularity as a super-food in the world of millets.
It has been categorised as a healthcare crop in the U.S.A. and is seen as a ‘super-food’ because of its high protein content and unsaturated fatty acids. It is grown sporadically in a few districts in Gujarat and by the Soliga tribes living in B.R. Hills and Chamarajnagar. Now, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (UAS-B) is working towards popularising Rajgira and some other crop varieties in Karnataka.
Dr. Niranjan Murthy, Professor and HOD, Potential Crops, UAS-B, has developed a new robust variety of Rajgira (KBGA-4), which was unveiled at Krishi Mela – 2017 on Thursday. “The variety I have developed gives 20% more yield than the existing varieties and is resistant to Phillody and Leaf Rust disease,” he said. “Rajgira has one of the highest protein content among all cereals. While rice has 7% and wheat 9% protein, Rajgira has 16%. Also, it has a high content of Lysine, an essential amino acid, usually deficit in most cereals.”
However, the high protein content means that it can only be used after it has been processed. For instance, 15-20% of Rajgira flour can be added to wheat or multi-grain atta to make chapatis. Or, like the Soligas do, the grains can be popped and later made into unde (laddus with popped grain and jaggery) or as chikki, the scientist said.
But how profitable is growing Rajgira for farmers? The crop can also be used for its leaves (Dantu soppu), ensuring that the entire plant is monetised. “A kilo of Rajgira in the retail market is around ₹125, which may stabilise further if farmers start growing the crop in the State,” Dr. Murthy said.
Rajgira has a market in Europe as well. Rajgira oil has 7% Sqaulene, a compound that is widely used in cosmetics for its anti-ageing properties.
The Department of Potential Crops, is now working on two other millets considered super foods worldwide: quinoa and chia seeds. Both thrive in temperate climate, can be grown during the Rabi season in hilly areas and even in Bengaluru, scientists have now found out. Scientists have grown both crops in the UAS-B campus and are experimenting with different varieties. A group of farmers in Mysuru are already growing chia seeds and exporting them, they pointed out.
Eight new crop varieties unveiled by UAS-B at Krishi Mela 2017
