History of Millets can be traced back from the pre-historic times in India but after the green revolution, paddy and wheat have taken the major share of the plate. The share of millets in total grain production had dropped from 40 to 20 percent in the country.

Efforts are being put to increase the demand of millets by educating farmers. In North East India, FARM Northeast program is reviving and strengthening traditional socio-economic, governance and health systems through People-Led Development approach.

Krai-truh is the common name of finger millet in Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Ragi or Krai-truh is often ground to a fine powder and sold and popularly known as Ragi Flour which is consumed and cooked along with rice. Another use of Krai-truh is to make local liquor which is still prevalent among the War Khasis of the Pynursla region of East Khasi Hills District. Once the staple food of the Khasi community, Krai truh has lost its subsistence in the eating habit of the Khasis with rice.

Currently, the initiative FARM Northeast II is promoting marginalized farming communities to adopt traditional farming practices which are more sustainable and efficient to meet the food and nutrition security needs of tribal communities.

Social Service Centre (SSC), partner of Caritas India in Meghayala has taken ‘No woman no Krai’ as its theme to align women role as protectors of Krai (Millet). SSC is popularising the traditional farming and the essence of traditional crops.

In a workshop to promote Krai, SSC convinced farmers to return to their roots and following the traditional crops like millet. It was informed that millets were the trusted staple food of the ancestors which is pest free with high nutritional benefit. It is a climate-smart crop that can increase food sovereignty for farmers which can be sourced locally at the same time. It was informed that it can boost the local economy and benefit people, and the environment.

Most of the farmers attending the workshop realized the value of millet and decided to revive its cultivation again.

In January 2018, SSC Coordinator, Elizabeth mobilized 22 kgs of finger millet seed at a price of Rs. 70 per kg from Jongksha A village for 22 aspiring farmers.

The desired seeds were shared between Mawpyrshong and Jongksha farmers. There is a strong resurgence as far as millets are concerned and it is expected that 5000 rows of finger millet (standard size) will be planted by these farmers to improve their health and economy. Through FARM Northeast II, SSC plans to regain the lost identity of Krai beyond these 22 households.