Finger Millet figures among ICRISAT mandate crops
Q. Which crop has been made ICRISAT’s mandate crop, on 4th October 2015?- Published on 05 Oct 15a. Maize
b. Mustard
c. Wheat
d. Finger Millet
ANSWER: Finger Millet
Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.], which figured among the six small millets in research portfolio of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has now been formally announced as the mandate crop. Finger millet provides opportunities for small holders, and ICRISAT gene bank has nearly 6000 finger millet germ plasm accessions from 24 nations. This crop is an integral part of the ICRISAT portfolio. Following its declaration as a mandate crop, it has led consumers to improved nutrition and offers much economic opportunity which is why it has been given prominence. Harnessing Opportunities for Productivity Enhancement of Sorghum and Millets in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (HOPE) project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is showing encouraging results in improving productivity of finger millet and household incomes in East Africa. In Malawi, a three finger millet variety will resurrect crops that disappeared from the southern region of the nation. Finger millet variety U15 is the most preferred for rapid maturity and grain colour while IE 3779 is preferred because of disease resistance. Other mandate crops of ICRISAT include sorghum, pearl millet, chickpea, pigeon-pea and groundnut.
