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Harnessing the potential of Finger millet for achieving food and nutritional security: Challenges and Prospects (ICFM-2022)
January 19, 2022 @ 8:00 am - January 22, 2022 @ 5:00 pm
University of Agricultural Sciences Bangalore (UASB) and the organizing committee of International Conference “Harnessing the potential of Finger millet for achieving food and nutritional security: Challenges and Prospects (ICFM-2022)”.
We are honoured to invite you to participate in the above mentioned conference scheduled on January 19-22, 2022 at Zonal Agricultural Research Station, Mandya, UASB, Karnataka, India. It was in 1913-1918, Dr. Leslie Coleman initiated finger millet improvement programme at Hebbal school (present University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore), resulting in the release of first finger millet variety H22 in India. Subsequently, All India Coordinated Small Millets Improvement Project (AICSMIP) was launched in 1986 with headquarters at University of Agricultural Sciences, GKVK, Bengaluru. The main breeding objective was to develop varieties for high grain yield associated with blast tolerance suitable to both rainfed and irrigated ecosystems. A total of 135 finger millet varieties have been released till date. The pioneering work on finger millet resulted in identification of Indaf (like Indaf 7 and Indaf 9) and KMR (like KMR-301, KMR 630, KMR-316, KMR-204 & KMR 340) series varieties from ZARS, Mandya and GPU series varieties (like GPU-28, GPU-45, GPU-48, GPU-66) from PC unit, AICRP on Small Millets, UAS, Bangalore.
Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn., also popularly called as Ragi, is a vital food crop in dryland agricultural system. In certain parts of the world it is used as both food and forage crop. It is grown in India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, and Japan in Asia and Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zaire, Eritrea, and Somalia in Africa. Finger millet is the major staple food for South Karnataka population in India. It has manifold nutritional benefits, with nearly 30 times more calcium than rice. Finger millet straw is extensively used as feed in the livestock sector. Finger millet can be cultivated throughout the year, depending on the moisture availability. Due to change in climatic factors, biotic and abiotic yield limiting factors, crop improvement and management strategies need renewed emphasis.
In this background, it is highly desirable to analyze the latest developments taking place in finger millet, both at national and international level, identify the gaps and chalk out a road map for crop improvement strategies for future under the changing climate. ICFM-2022 shall a forum to discuss the entire gamut of issues relating to advances and challenges in finger millet. The outcome of the conference would provide practical solutions for researchers across the globe to exchange their experiences and vision on development/improvisations in finger millet genetic resources, production for its sustainability, integrated pest management strategies and biotechnological interventions. The conference shall feature technical sessions with lead/invited and contributory oral presentations.
The Conference will be held at Zonal Agricultural Research Station (ZARS), V. C. Farm, Mandya, Karnataka, India during January 19-22, 2022. Based on the convenience of the participants, the conference shall be hosted in hybrid mode (both offline and online). Mandya is a district located in Karnataka and is famous for one of the oldest research centres on Finger millet, where stalwarts such as Dr. Lesli Coleman and Dr. Ragi Lakshmanaiah have made significant contributions in the field of Finger millet improvement. Mandya is popularly known as ‘Land of Sugar’, came into existence on 1st of July 1939. It is located about 100 km from Bengaluru and 40 km from Mysuru with a travel duration of around 1 hour and 30 minutes by train.
Delegates visiting India for the first time can avail the facility of pre- and post- conference tours. The organizers would be pleased to facilitate the same through a reputed tour organizer.
We at Mandya await your presence and assure you of an experience like never before.
Organizing Secretary
Dr. Nagaraja, T. E, Professor (Plant Breeding) and Head, ICAR-AICRP (Small Millets), UAS, Bangalore
Mobile +91-9845948065
Email-icfm2022@gmail.com