Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today asked agriculture scientists to popularise new hybrid varieties of sorghum and improved production technologies among farmers.
After inaugurating a sorghum gene bank complex at the Directorate of Sorghum Research (DSR) today, Pawar appreciated the efforts made by the institute for the development of new hybrids and varieties suitable for various climatic zones.
He said good yield levels were being maintained despite reduction in sorghum area.
Indian Council of Agricultural Research DG S Ayyappan praised the efforts made by scientists for promoting sorghum as a multi-use crop. He particularly appreciated the efforts made to popularise the sorghum as a nutritious food.
DSR has established the gene bank complex with four medium-term storage modules with a capacity to conserve 40,000 accessions. The facility will be useful to minimise loss of viability and genetic integrity of seed material, according to DSR director J V Patil.
ICAR deputy director general (crop sciences) Swapan Kumar Datta and others were present on the occasion.
Pawar also visited the Centre of Excellence, state-of-the-art food processing technology park and an exhibition by public and private sector research and food industries.
More than 100 sorghum scientists from across the country participated in the event.
