In Asia and several countries around the
world, many kinds of small millets (Minor
cereals) are grown. They are finger millet,
Italian millet, kodo millet, proso millet,
little millet, barnyard millet, grain-amaranth
and buckwheat. They are other minor cereals
like teff and fonio which are important in
Africa.
Research on these crops is in progress in
many countries but it is scattered and localized.
As a result, there is difficulty in finding
access to the valuable research information
available elsewhere. The scientists working
on these crops are handicapped for want of
a common forum for discussion of issues of
mutual interest. The two Internatioal Workshops
held in 1986 in India and 1991 in Zimbabwe
has helped in documenting the available information
at gloal level on some of the above cereals.
But, this has not helped much in filling
the vacuum. Recognizing the importance of
these minor cereal crops in food security
at the farm/regional level and its role in
World Agriculture it is thought appropriate
to launch an International Forum for Promotion
and Development of Minor Cereals. The proposed
forum will cover those ten crop species.
The forum intends to provide:
1) A common platform for scientists working
to discuss isuues related to conservation,
improvement and promotion of these crops.
2) To bring out International Journal to
serve as promotional mediafor exchange and
dissemination of information.
3) To support organizing International/Regional
Seminars and Workshops on these crops and
assist to identify areas of research and
development for the common benefit.
Through this letter we are enlisting your
support for launching of such a forum/society
and your willingness to serve as oe of the
founder members. We would be grateful if
you could kindly circulate this letter among
the interested scientists/ colleagues in
your country and help us to know their response.
We look forward for your suggestions in this
regard.
Thanking you,
With regards,
Yours sincerely,
Dr. A. Seetharam, Project Coordinator (Small
Millets), University of Agricultural Sciences,
GKVK, Bangalore 560 065, India.
Dr. M. Kimata, Professor of Ethnobotany,
Tokyo Gakugei University, Koganei, Tokyo
184-8501, Japan. kimatami@u-gakugei.ac.jp
