ICAR-IIMR Signs MoU with IFFCO Kisan to Promote Bio-fortified Pearl Millet Cultivars Through FPOs

5th September 2022, Hyderabad

ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad and IFFCO Kisan signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoU) virtually to promote Bio-fortified Pearl Millet cultivars through FPOs in Koppal district of Karnataka today.

Through this collaborative effort, the FPOs in Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh will receive seeds, technology orientation, advice dissemination, and capacity building on packaging of biofortified seeds in terms of nutritional content and its benefits.

Dr. C. V. Ratnavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR said the Institute will connect farmers and FPOs with knowledge partner IFFCO Kisan. She emphasised on creating awareness of bio-fortified seeds and nutritional values of Millets.

Shri Praveer Srivastava, COO, IFFCO Kisan, highlighted that IFFCO Kisan will distribute seeds. He also assured the buyback of Pearl Millet at farm gate from FPOs at a competitive price by replicating its pilot project in districts of Karnataka, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh.

Shri Siddharth Bhattacharya, Lead - Partner Relationships, IFFCO Kisan further added that with the help of ICAR-IIMR, IFFCO Kisan will work towards on-boarding of farmers & FPOs, trainings, capacity building on better package practices, technology orientation & seed distribution to shareholders of FPOs and better market linkages to farmers.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad)