The rising demand for nagli (finger millet) seeds has prompted theMaharashtraSeeds Company Limited (Mahabeej) to promote seed production among tribals, who produce nagli only for personal consumption, in the Nashik district.
The tribal farmers have stayed away from large-scale Nagli production as it does not fetch an attractive price in the market. However, the announcement of the International Year of Millet has pushed the demand for nagli seeds.
Currently, the organization is training farmers in the Trimbakeshwar, Surgana and Peth tehsils, where nagli is produced.