Bengaluru: Even as Karnataka grapples with one of the worst droughts in recent times, a farmer and a research scientist have found two foodgrains which can sustain farmers through such tough times.
In Rampura hamlet of Kolar district, a drought-prone district, a farmer and MSc graduate Ashok Kumar used a portion of his vast farmland to grow araka, an indigenous millet.
Ashok told TOI that araka can be grown in dry, arid lands in the state. "Araka is a high-yielding foodgrain -- cultivation on an acre gives 10 quintals. One doesn't require more than 300-350 mm of rainfall through the year for this crop,'' he added.
Meanwhile, the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and its director Ram Rajasekaran have tried and tested a wonder grain called teff. It's imported from Ethiopia and also part of the millet family. It can be grown in drought-prone areas and can even be substitute for rice and wheat in one's daily diet.
"It is one of the highest protein-content foodgrain in the world. While we're not an agricultural research institute, CFTRI research showed that teff can sustain the entire farming community even during drought. It needs a little water during sowing and can ensure a much healthier society," Rajasekaran said.
According to both, araka and teff are not widely known. University of Agriculture Science's vice-chancellor MN Rajegowda said the primary reason for this is lack of yield. "Any drought-resistent crop is considered a last resort, and lack of yield makes them rather unpopular. We have designed certain drought-resistant varieties, but they're the last resort for farmers," he said.
In Rampura hamlet of Kolar district, a drought-prone district, a farmer and MSc graduate Ashok Kumar used a portion of his vast farmland to grow araka, an indigenous millet.
Ashok told TOI that araka can be grown in dry, arid lands in the state. "Araka is a high-yielding foodgrain -- cultivation on an acre gives 10 quintals. One doesn't require more than 300-350 mm of rainfall through the year for this crop,'' he added.
Meanwhile, the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and its director Ram Rajasekaran have tried and tested a wonder grain called teff. It's imported from Ethiopia and also part of the millet family. It can be grown in drought-prone areas and can even be substitute for rice and wheat in one's daily diet.
"It is one of the highest protein-content foodgrain in the world. While we're not an agricultural research institute, CFTRI research showed that teff can sustain the entire farming community even during drought. It needs a little water during sowing and can ensure a much healthier society," Rajasekaran said.
According to both, araka and teff are not widely known. University of Agriculture Science's vice-chancellor MN Rajegowda said the primary reason for this is lack of yield. "Any drought-resistent crop is considered a last resort, and lack of yield makes them rather unpopular. We have designed certain drought-resistant varieties, but they're the last resort for farmers," he said.