Lungla, Tawang, Aug 28, 2025: Finger Millet Field Days and Farmer-Scientist Interaction programmes were conducted in Phomeng and Khleteng villages under Lungka circle of Tawang district to promote improved millet technologies and facilitate farmer-to-farmer knowledge exchange. The event was organized by the Almora-based ICAR–Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishi Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS) in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Tawang, under the NEH Programme of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Dr. D.C. Joshi, Senior Scientist at ICAR–VPKAS, highlighted initiatives for millet promotion in Tawang, including the introduction of the improved finger millet variety VL Mandua 376 and the VL Millet Thresher. He appreciated farmers for conducting frontline demonstrations and sharing VL Mandua 376 seeds with neighboring villages, enabling the variety’s rapid spread across the district in 2025. Dr. Joshi emphasized that early-maturing, high-yielding varieties can boost production and encouraged farmers to exchange quality seeds locally.

Dr. R.P. Meena, Scientist (Agronomy), outlined improved agronomic practices and eco-friendly weed management techniques to enhance profitability, while stressing the role of mechanization in finger millet cultivation. Er. Utkarsh Kumar demonstrated the Vivek Millet Thresher-cum-Pearler, explaining its benefits in reducing labor, saving time, minimizing post-harvest losses, and improving produce quality. Farmers showed strong interest in adopting the machine and requested support for its availability.

Dr. C.K. Singh, SMS (Agronomy), KVK Tawang, who popularized VL Mandua 376 locally as “teen mahine ka mandua”, said the variety was cultivated in over 40 villages during Kharif 2025, including border areas near Tibet and Bhutan. With its short duration, higher yield (about 1.5 times more than the local cultivar), early maturity, and better grain-to-husk ratio, the variety has gained wide acceptance. He projected that VL Mandua 376 would reach most finger millet-growing villages in the district within the next 2–3 years through institutional seed supply and farmer-led seed exchange.

A total of 99 farmers attended the event, reiterating the urgent need for millet threshers to manage increased production and ease post-harvest operations. The programme reaffirmed the commitment of ICAR–VPKAS and KVK Tawang to enhance millet production, promote improved technologies, and support mechanization in Tawang district.