N E W S B Y T E S
ICRISAT joins forces with Assam Millet Mission
The International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics ( ICRISAT ) and the Government of Assam , India , have joined forces to advance climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food systems through the Assam Millet Mission . At the heart of the partnership is Assam ’ s goal of boosting the cultivation , production and consumption of three native millet crops : Finger millet ( Maruadhan ), Foxtail millet ( Kauni Dhan ), and Proso millet ( Cheena Bajra ). Presently , millets are only cultivated across 6,000 hectares of land in 15 districts of Assam , including Nagaon , Bongaigaon , and Dhubri , contributing 97 per cent of the State ’ s millet production .
Given Assam ’ s vulnerability to floods and its ancient preference for rice over millets , there ’ s a growing imperative to transition toward diversified agriculture that incorporates resilient and nutritious millets . Director General of ICRISAT Dr Jacqueline Hughes , lauded the partnership and hailed the Millet Mission as pioneering , particularly considering the region ’ s limited history of millet consumption .
CNH signs MOU with ICAR-CITH Srinagar for technical collaboration in fruit harvesting
CNH has signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Central Institute of Temperate Horticulture ( ICAR-CITH ), Srinagar to collaborate on fruit harvesting technology in India . The partnership will focus on enhancing the mechanization of fruit harvesting , specifically apples , integrating cuttingedge techniques . It will also foster the development of innovative solutions tailored to India ’ s unique agricultural
challenges . According to the MOU , CNH will oversee the design and development process of harvesting . The company will supply prototypes for field tests and make improvements based on the trial outcomes .
“ Together with ICAR – CITH , we look forward to combining our knowledge and expertise to deliver a step change in agricultural efficiency and productivity , benefiting the farmers and the wider agriculture community ,” said Dr . Garv Modwel , Group Leader , Advanced Technology and Innovation , CNH India Technology Center .
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BioVoiceNews | January / February 2024