Minor millets in South Asia: learnings from IFAD-NUS project in India ...

promoting negleCted and underutilized speiCes in nepal 165
cropping was conducted in 2003 at Ralmare site to see the comparative advantages
from mixed and sole cropping of finger millet under farmers’ management and input
conditions. It was an exploratory study placed in four farmers’ fields. The plot size
was 6 m 2 (3 m x 2 m) for each treatment and the sowing was done on the same
day as per farmers’ practice. The crop was harvested separately and grain yield was
recorded. This was then converted to monetary value as per the local price. The results
of this exploratory study revealed that mixed cropping was economically rewarding
since there was no additional cost for mixed cropping except seed (Table 14). The
soil enriching property of black gram was an additional advantage. The results of
this study opened scope for further research to standardize the mixed cropping
system in future to make the cultivation of finger millet crop more profitable.
Table 14. Average grain yield and income from sole and mixed cropping of finger millet (2003)
S. No. Treatment Grain yield
(q/ha)
Income
(NR)
Gross income
(NR)
1 Finger millet (sole) 20.3 24,360 24,360
2 Finger millet+
19.9
23,880
35,320
black gram
2.6
11,440
3 Black gram (sole) 7.9 34,760 34,760
market price: Finger millet- nr 12.0/kg; Black gram- nr 44.0/kg
nr: nepalese rupee
8. Value addition, product development and market promotion
There are several ways to add values such as through plant breeding including
participatory plant breeding (PPB), sensitizing community and consumers (awareness
on nutritive and medicinal value of traditional foods), creating market based
value adding measures like improved processing, product diversification and
policy incentives (Rijal et al., 2001). The experience of the earlier project on in situ
conservation was capitalized for value addition through creating awareness and
product diversification to increase consumption. In this project, LI-BIRD at Kaski
site gave more thrust on creating awareness, product development, diversification
and skill enhancement and dissemination through trainings and orientations.
8.1. Establishment of small pilot processing units at community level
The project has supported community groups to establish a micro-mill in each site
(Fig. 8). A letter of agreement (LoA) was signed with these groups separately to
establish and run the micro-mills so that they will manage and provide services to
farmers at a reasonable cost and help to increase millet consumption in and nearby
project villages. The women groups, namely, Marga Joyoti POWER Group of Kalabang
and Community Development Group of Ralmare were given the responsibility
for operating these micro-mills. The project provided practical orientations to the
members of these groups for operation and record keeping and also suggested