Millets are a group of cereal grains with ancient origins, primarily domesticated in the dry tropical regions of Asia and Africa. Over time, their cultivation spread globally. As members of the grass family Poaceae, these crops have played a vital role in sustaining food systems in regions with poor soil fertility and erratic rainfall. Their ability to grow under minimal resource input makes them a dependable option in areas prone to climatic stress (Hassan et al., 2021; Sharma and Ortik, 2000). Millets are categorized into major types, such as sorghum and pearl millet, and minor types, including foxtail, finger, little, kodo, barnyard, and proso millets. Additionally, crops like buckwheat and amaranth, often referred to as pseudo-millets, contribute to the diet and livestock feed in various parts of the world (Saleh et al., 2013; Shahidi and Chandrasekara, 2013).
Among these, sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) stands out as one of the most important and widely cultivated millets. In India, it plays a vital role as a staple food, fodder, and industrial crop, especially for resource-poor, small, and marginal farmers in semi-arid and arid regions. Cultivated in both kharif and rabi seasons, sorghum is well-adapted to harsh agro-climatic conditions due to its deep root system, efficient water use, and high tolerance to drought and heat stress (Assefa et al., 2010). These attributes make grain sorghum especially suitable for rainfed farming and deficit irrigation systems. Beyond its agronomic value, sorghum, along with other millets, plays a significant role in ensuring nutritional security. Despite these advantages, the cultivation area of sorghum and other millets declined over the decades, primarily due to changing food habits, government-subsidized rice distribution schemes, and the expansion of irrigated agriculture. However, climate change, increasing input costs, and a rising awareness of healthy diets have sparked a renewed interest in nutri-cereals such as sorghum. There is now a growing recognition of their potential to contribute to sustainable food systems by fulfilling the four Fs - food, fodder, feed, and fuel, especially in rainfed ecosystems. In the context of varietal development and dissemination, the adoption of improved cultivars remains suboptimal in many regions due to factors such as continued use of local landraces, lack of access to quality seed, and limited exposure to improved agronomic practices. This gap between research and on-farm application underscores the need for effective extension strategies.
Frontline Demonstrations (FLDs) are an extension strategy initiated by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) to demonstrate the production potential of newly released crop varieties and associated technologies under real farming conditions. These are organized through Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs) to bridge the gap between research stations and farmer fields, thereby validating and popularizing improved agricultural practices among rural communities. To address this gap, the white jowar variety, Nandyal Tella Jonna-5 (NTJ-5), released by Acharya N.G. Ranga Agricultural University (ANGRAU) in 2018, was selected for demonstration in SPSR Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh. NTJ-5 is a short-statured, non-lodging, dual-purpose sorghum variety with medium bold grains, moderately tolerant to shoot fly, stem borer, and blight. It has a crop duration of approximately 95-105 days with a yield potential of 4500-5000 kg/ha. This study presents the outcomes of FLDs conducted over three rabi seasons to evaluate the performance, profitability, and adoption potential of NTJ-5 in comparison to local varieties/hybrids, aiming to enhance the productivity and livelihood security of sorghum-growing farmers in the region.
