Mysuru:  With a view to promote the highly nutritious ‘Siridanya’ (millets), the Department of Agriculture took out an ‘Awareness Walk’ in city this morning to appeal citizens to use it for a good health.

The walk was flagged off in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Palace North Gate, by Hemanth Kumar Gowda, Chairman, Karnataka Exhibition Authority (KEA).

Addressing the gathering, he said of late, people were facing a lot of health problems due to consumption of junk food. It was important to introduce siridanya to children from a young age so that they don’t face any health-related issues when they grow up.

“I have listened to benefits of siridanya from Dr. D. Khadar Valli, a noted food nutritionist and a promoter of millets for the betterment of people. I was using millets earlier but stopped now due to paucity of time. There is a need to create awareness among people regarding the benefits of siridanya,” he added.

Dr. M. Mahanteshappa, Joint Director, Agriculture Department, said that yield of siridanya was very low when compared to conventional crops but it will fetch good price in market due to its nutritional value. Hitherto, villagers were consuming siridanya and they have stopped now. The millets are the panacea for lifestyle diseases like blood pressure and diabetes and this has been proved in the scientific research, he noted.

The walk passed through Chamaraja Wadiyar Circle, Albert Victor Road, K.R. Circle, D. Devaraja Urs Road and culminated near the Deputy Commissioner’s (DC) office. The staff members of Agriculture Department participated in the awareness walk. Rudresh, Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture and others were present.