Varietal Diversity in Finger Millet in Koraput

Dasamantpur site is already facing climate change-induced weather-related issues such as late-onset of monsoon, dry spells within the crop period, heavy rains during harvest, and early withdrawal of monsoon. Varietal diversity in the household is expected to play an important role in adapting to these conditions.

It was observed through the survey, that there is a lack of varietal diversity in Finger Millet at the household farm level in Dasamantpur. Only three households were found with two varieties of Finger Millet each, though there were a total of twelve known varieties among the sample households.

The existing Finger Millet Varieties was broadly classified under two heads: 1. Released Varieties 2. Local Varieties

The two released varieties existing among the sample households were Bhairabi and ML-365.

Similarly, nine local varieties were Bada Mandia, Bagachada, Bhalu Mandia, Jana Mandia, Jam Mandia, Kadaligada, Mami Mandia, Modai Maskuli and Basgoti.

(Figure: The proportion of Finger Millet Variety, area and no. of farmers)

                                          Around 65.38 percent of Finger Millet farmers were using released varieties. This is due to the Odisha Millet Mission and National Food Security Mission (NFSM – Nutri Cereals) intervention in this study area. The remaining farmers were cultivating local varieties. The category of varieties grown by 8.82 percent of the farmers could not be identified. Among the released varieties, ML-365 was found to be the dominant one (34.31 percent farmers). Moreover, the adoption of released varieties was found to be widespread across the landholding categories. 

Number of farmers, the area covered, and varieties wise of finger millets:(100 respondents)

Sources of the seed of finger millet:

Figure: Proportion of average yield and the method of agronomic practices)

Participatory Varietal Trial(PVT) was conducted under Odisha Millet Mission by DHAN Foundation. In every plot of the demonstration, the same agronomic practices were followed. Farmers participated in this trial and were given their feedbacks and views depending upon the yield, color, taste, duration, plant height, size of the grains, and market demand.

This PVT will definitely help in preserving the seed variety, good in every aspect. As seen in the study, the local finger millet varieties are vanishing day by day. We need to preserve the local varieties of Finger Millet by building Community Seed Centre at the village level.