Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched four new advanced millet varieties, developed by various agricultural research institutes across the country. These advanced varieties are designed to enhance both productivity and nutritional quality, offering farmers improved yields and income, along with better crop resistance to diseases. Let’s explore the key features, yields, and benefits of these millet varieties.
Pearl Millet (MH 2417 – Pusa 1801):
The MH 2417 (Pusa 1801) variety is a hybrid pearl millet developed by ICAR – Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. It is suitable for the NCR of Delhi. This dual-purpose hybrid is ideal for both irrigated and rainfed conditions during the Kharif season. It offers a grain yield of up to 33.34 quintals per hectare and dry fodder yield of 175 quintals per hectare. The variety is enriched with high levels of iron and zinc and is resistant to five major pearl millet diseases downy mildew, foliar blast, rust, smut, and ergot.
Finger Millet (VL Mandua-402):
This open-pollinated variety of finger millet was developed by ICAR – Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand. It is suitable for rainfed conditions. The average seed yield is 2,261 kg per hectare, and the crop matures in 111 days. In terms of nutrition, this variety has a higher calcium content (368 mg/100g) compared to the check varieties VL Mandua 324 (294 mg/100g) and VL 376 (318.9 mg/100g).
Proso Millet (CPRMV-1 – DHPM-60-4/PMV 466):
This open-pollinated proso millet variety was developed by ICAR – AICRP on Sorghum and Small Millets, University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad, Karnataka. It is suitable for the Kharif season in the Karnataka and Tamil Nadu regions under rainfed conditions. The average yield ranges from 24-26 quintals per hectare, and the crop matures in 70-74 days. The variety is resistant to brown spot, leaf blast, and leaf blight, providing moderate resistance to banded blight as well.
Barnyard Millet (VL Madira-254): This open-pollinated barnyard millet variety was developed by ICAR – Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan, Almora, Uttarakhand. It is suitable for rainfed conditions in Uttarakhand. The average yield of this variety is 1,719 kg per hectare, and it matures in 101 days.
