On Sun, buy nachni at subsidised rates

Panaji: The directorate of agriculture will be selling nachni (ragi) seeds at a subsidised rate at the Nachneachem Fest, which will be held on March 12 from 11am to 5pm, at the Agricultural Farm, Duler, Mapusa.
Packets of 100g nachni will be sold, which can be grown in an area of 10-20 sq m. “Nachnem can be easily grown in a home garden, harvested and threshed before being processed into flour. We are therefore promoting this nutritive seed as a home-garden crop,” said director of agriculture, Nevil Alphonso.
Besides popularising it among small growers, half kg millet seed kits will be distributed for free among existing farmers in a bid to expand the area under its cultivation. Besides, the farmers will be encouraged to avail of 50% subsidy on organic fertilisers and pesticides.
“We want to create a demand for millets in Goa by creating awareness among consumers of the various health aspects of the crop. Various value added products can be prepared and consumed,” Alphonso said.
In this revival of Goa’s traditional crop, the nachneachem fest will feature skits and technical talks on the importance of millets and the dos and don’ts in the care and management of the crop. The zero-waste fest will also be a celebration of Goan culture, economic empowerment of communities and music.