For the first time in India, bio-fortified sorghum (jowar) was released at International Crops Research Institute for Semi Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) located in the district on Thursday. It’s a double edged variety has 50 % higher nutritional value comparing with existing varieties in addition reducing the obesity among the consumers.
About one-and-a-half decades of research and hard work put forth by different scientists at different levels was realised and a dream came true. Named as ‘Parbhani Shakti,’ this sorghum variety was developed by scientists from ICRISAT and Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeeth (VNMKV) located at Parbhani in Maharashtra.
“This variety is rich in nutritional value and roti is white in colour and tasty. Even the quality of fodder is too good that animals are consuming. We wish that no child should be with hunger and no mother should be with malnutrition,” said Madan Rao Shinde from Manoli village, Manvat taluq of Parbhani district. He is one among the farmers who were part of the participatory field trails.
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“We got higher yield of 10 to 15 % and it also has the preferred market traits. This makes it an attractive option and we are happy that we are among the first farmers to use it,” commented Sunanda Shinde and Ahilyabai Shinde.
Project Principal Scientist A. Ashok Kumar said that Parbhani Shakti will be a double edged weapon to address malnutrition and obesity. Informing that Maha Beej, a consortium of seed developers was established to link up market facility for the farmers who are developing these seeds and presently about 300 farmers at Parbhani were entrusted with this responsibility and this seed will be abundantly available by next season.
“Parbhani Shakti developed through several years of work in conventional breeding system has an average grain Fe (Iron) concentration of 45 ppm and Zn (Zinc) 32 ppm, considerably higher than the varieties that are currently being cultivated. It has a higher protein and low phytate content — means increased bioavailability of nutrients,” said Mr. Ashok Kumar.
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ICRISAT Director General (Acting) Peter Carberry said that Prabhan Shakti addresses hidden hunger with no additional cost to its regular consumers and is the cheapest cereal available in the market. Along with others he has handed over the seed to the farmers from Parbhani.
Director, Research Programme, Asia, PM Gour, Deputy Director General Kiran Sharma, Vice- Chancellor of VNMKV A.S. Dhawan, Director of Research of VNMKV DP Waskr, Senior Scientist SP Mahetre were present.