Chikkana (72), who is associated with Kusumagiri Farmers Producer Company Limited, transformed his conventional farming system into a highly productive and profitable enterprise by adopting the improved finger millet variety HR-13 during Rabi 2025. The variety, developed at the AICRP Centre, Hagari, was supplied by ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research through the Kusumagiri FPO in Kundrupi.
Prior to the intervention, Chikkana cultivated traditional finger millet varieties using conventional practices and harvested only 9–11 quintals per acre under irrigated conditions. However, with continuous technical guidance from scientists of ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad, and adoption of a scientific package of practices including transplanting, balanced nutrient management, and natural farming approaches, he achieved a remarkable increase in productivity to 22–23 quintals per acre.
The transformation significantly enhanced his economic returns. The produce was procured through the FPO at the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of Rs. 4,886 per quintal, ensuring assured market access and remunerative pricing. Consequently, the income from his 6-acre farm increased substantially from nearly Rs 2.07 lakh to Rs 6.59 lakh. Besides improving farm profitability, finger millet cultivation also ensured fodder security for his 60 cattle, strengthening the sustainability and resilience of his integrated farming system.
Speaking on the occasion, Jat commended the efforts of progressive millet farmers and emphasized the critical role of scientific interventions, improved crop varieties, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in advancing climate-resilient agriculture, nutritional security, and rural livelihoods.
Chikkana acknowledged the continuous support and technical guidance provided by the scientists of ICAR-IIMR and stated that being felicitated by Jat, was a matter of immense pride and motivation for him to further promote millet cultivation.