Amaranthus: Development opportunity crop for marginal farmers livelihood and nutritional security

Abstract

these holdings contribute to more than 80% of the country’s agriculture. However, marginal farmers face several challenges in the form of reduced yields, reduced soil quality, total crop failures, limited access to fertilizers and irrigation, pest and disease build up in the farm, and climate changes. Adding diversity in the fields with alternative crops could help to mitigate such issues and can contribute to the economic and ecological sustainability. Amaranthus is a highly nutritious pseudo-cereal which can grow well on marginal lands under demanding environment being a short cycle, drought and salinity tolerant crop. It is a multipurpose C4 plant used as a ‘4F’ crop (Food, Feed, Fuel and Fiber) which makes it a remunerative crop highly suitable for crop diversification on marginal lands.