MP govt seeks GI tag for Sitahi, Nagdaman millets, Purple Pigeon Pea
Bhopal, March 28
The Madhya Pradesh government on Saturday conveyed that it has sent a proposal for a Geographical Indication tag for three crops, Sitahi Kutki, Nagdaman Kutki, and Purple Pigeon Pea, to the Geographical Indications Registry in Chennai for examination.
The necessary documents to secure a GI tag for these specialised and traditional crops, mainly cultivated in tribal regions of Madhya Pradesh, have been prepared by Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur.
Officials said the initiative aims to establish Sitahi Kutki as a recognised brand name at the national level, thereby unlocking new market opportunities.
Ultimately, this will translate into economic benefits for tribal farmers who cultivate this millet variety.
The government stated that farmers in tribal-dominated regions are being encouraged to preserve and cultivate traditional crops such as Kodo and Kutki, as demand for these millets has increased and they have now emerged as financially lucrative crops.
The state government is procuring Kodo and Kutki millets from farmers at a rate of Rs 1,000 per quintal under the Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Promotion Scheme.
More than 22,000 farmers from 16 districts, including Jabalpur, Mandla, Dindori, Chhindwara, Shahdol, Anuppur, Umaria, and Rewa, are participating.
Notably, Sitahi Kutki is an indigenous variety of little millet with a short growth duration of just 60 days. It is well-suited for rain-fed regions and for cultivation under late-sowing conditions.
It can be cultivated even on hilly, rugged terrain with poor soil. It has the potential to generate substantial income for farmers from the Baiga and Gond tribes of Dindori.
Similarly, Nagdaman Kutki is a distinct local variety of Kutki millet cultivated specifically in Dindori and other tribal-dominated districts. It is renowned for its medicinal properties and exceptional nutritional value.
The government stated that recognition through a GI tag will serve as official validation that the crop strictly adheres to established quality standards.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone who has switched to millets, this is great news. Sitahi Kutki growing in just 60 days is amazing for food security in rain-fed areas. Hope the GI tag helps these reach more urban kitchens. We need to promote our traditional grains for health and sustainability.
Good step, but the government must ensure the benefits actually reach the tribal farmers (Baiga, Gond) and not middlemen. Often, schemes sound good on paper but implementation is weak. Transparency in procurement and fair price distribution is key.
Nagdaman Kutki's medicinal properties mentioned here are fascinating. Our ancestors knew the value of these crops. A GI tag will help preserve this biodiversity and traditional knowledge. More power to the tribal farmers of MP! 🌾
Interesting read. The focus on crops suited for poor soil and hilly terrain is smart climate-resilient agriculture. If marketed well internationally, these unique GI-tagged millets could become premium health food exports. The 60-day growth cycle is impressive.
The Rani Durgavati Shri Anna Scheme is a good move. Supporting millet cultivation aligns with the International Year of Millets push. Hope other states also identify and protect their local varieties. Our agro-biodiversity is a national treasure.
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