Lok Sabha Question No. 2932 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-18
Subject: Development of Shree Anna
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Parshottambhai Rupala

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2932

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18 TH  MARCH, 2025

## DEVELOPMENT OF SHREE ANNA

2932. SHRI PARSHOTTAMBHAI RUPALA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कल्याण मंũी

- (b) whether the FAO and UNFCCC have accepted that these crops are climate resilient, if
- be pleased to state: (a) the details of plans for prioritizing the development of Shree Anna; so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of specific action plan for its development, progress and the steps taken to preserve original indigenous seeds and multiply them; and
- (d) the details of specific information about progress particularly in the State of Gujarat?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (d): The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) through its nodal institute for millets i.e., Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad is undertaking basic and strategic  research  to  develop  high  yielding  climate  resilient  varieties/  hybrids  of  Shree anna  including  pearl  millet  (bajra),  sorghum  (jowar),  finger  millet  (ragi/mandua),  foxtail millet  (kangni/  ltalian  millet),  little  millet  (kutki),  kodo  millet,  barnyard  millet  (sawan/ jhangora),  proso  millet  (cheena/common  millet),  and  brown  top  millet  (korale).  Besides, development of production and protection technologies, technology dissemination/transfer among  framers/other  stakeholders,  etc.  are  also  being  promoted  in  the  country.  In addition, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad  is working as  knowledge partner with the state governments  in  State  millet  missions  and  organizing  many  Millet  conclaves,  Millet carnivals,  Millet  food  Festivals,  Exhibition  stalls  in  association  with  State  Agricultural Departments, State Agriculture Universities (SAUs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).

The  Government  of  India  had  proposed  to  United  Nations  for  declaring  2023  as International Year of Millets (IYM). The proposal of India was supported by 72 countries and  United  Nations  General  Assembly  (UNGA)  declared  2023  as  International  Year  of Millets. In order to increase the production and productivity of millets (Shree Anna) in the country, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets) under National  Food Security &  Nutrition  Mission (NFSNM)  in  all  28  States  including  Gujarat  state  &  2  Union  Territories  viz.  Jammu  & Kashmir and Ladakh. The Government of India also provides flexibility to the states  for state specific needs/priorities under Rashtirya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY). The states can promote  Millets  (Shree  Anna)  under  RKVY  with  approval  of  State  Level  Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State. The production of Shree Anna (millets)  in  Gujarat  has  increased  from  10.92  lakh  tonnes  during  2020-21  to  14.09  lakh tonnes during 2023-24.

The National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBPGR), New Delhi is the nodal institute in India for managing plant genetic resources. The NBPGR focuses on the explorations,  acquisition,  conservation,  characterization,  and  evaluation  of  plant  genetic resources, including indigenous varieties. NBPGR houses the National Genebank, which conserves a vast collection of 4.71 lakh accessions of plant genetic resources, including seeds, to ensure food and nutritional security.

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