ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, conducted a Campaign on Nutri Garden and tree plantation (Poshan Vatika Maha Abhiyan and Tree Plantation) on 17 September 2021
Coimbatore: As part of the curtain raiser of International year of Millets 2023, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore, conducted a Campaign on Nutri Garden and tree plantation (Poshan Vatika Maha Abhiyan and Tree Plantation) on 17 September 2021 in its research centre at Agali, Kerala.
The programme was conducted in a staggered manner in batches, throughout the day, adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
In this programme Shri Rajan,Village Head, Salaiyur was the Chief guest. Addressing the farmers and girls on the occasion, Dr. G.Hemaprabha, Director, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, highlighted the nutritional values of millets in a balanced human diet. Tribals need to take care of their health by supplementing 30 percent of their diet with fruits, vegetables and millets, she added. Having nutri-garden in the backyards, would ensure a diversified nutrient intake for the tribal families, the Director emphasized.
A quiz programme on nutri-cereals and vegetables being grown in Kerala and Tamil Nadu was conducted by Dr D Puthira Prathap, Principal Scientist of the Institute, for the girls belonging to Palakaiyur, Vallamari and Omappodiyur settlements. Winners of the quiz were given away prizes by the Chief Guest of the function.
The Director of the Institute then distributed vegetable seeds to the girls who participated and millet seeds viz., Pearl millet and foxtail millet to the tribal farmers. A lecture on the importance of millets in human health was delivered by Dr. A Annadurai, Principal Scientist.
The scientists of the Institute later planted tree saplings such as Citrus, Coconut & Teak and facilitated sowing of millet seeds by the children in the Institute farm.
The programme was attended by 350 farmers and children including 73 girls, belonging toPalakaiyur, Vallamari, Omappodiyur, Vadakottathara, Therku Mokkayur, Kalkandiyur, Selaiyur and Pudur, besides scientists and staff from ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore.
The programme was conducted in a staggered manner in batches, throughout the day, adhering to COVID-19 protocols.
In this programme Shri Rajan,Village Head, Salaiyur was the Chief guest. Addressing the farmers and girls on the occasion, Dr. G.Hemaprabha, Director, ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, highlighted the nutritional values of millets in a balanced human diet. Tribals need to take care of their health by supplementing 30 percent of their diet with fruits, vegetables and millets, she added. Having nutri-garden in the backyards, would ensure a diversified nutrient intake for the tribal families, the Director emphasized.
A quiz programme on nutri-cereals and vegetables being grown in Kerala and Tamil Nadu was conducted by Dr D Puthira Prathap, Principal Scientist of the Institute, for the girls belonging to Palakaiyur, Vallamari and Omappodiyur settlements. Winners of the quiz were given away prizes by the Chief Guest of the function.
The Director of the Institute then distributed vegetable seeds to the girls who participated and millet seeds viz., Pearl millet and foxtail millet to the tribal farmers. A lecture on the importance of millets in human health was delivered by Dr. A Annadurai, Principal Scientist.
The scientists of the Institute later planted tree saplings such as Citrus, Coconut & Teak and facilitated sowing of millet seeds by the children in the Institute farm.
The programme was attended by 350 farmers and children including 73 girls, belonging toPalakaiyur, Vallamari, Omappodiyur, Vadakottathara, Therku Mokkayur, Kalkandiyur, Selaiyur and Pudur, besides scientists and staff from ICAR-Sugarcane Breeding Institute, Coimbatore.