<span style="color: #222222;">Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today said that to intensify the use of buckwheat, ICAR-All India Co-ordinated Research Network on potential crops has developed nutritionally rich five varieties. He said they are promoted by ICAR and respective State Agricultural Universities (SAUs) through front line demonstrations, trainings and kisan melas. </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, the Agriculture Minister said Buckwheat is grown in the Hilly regions of Northern and Northeastern states including in the Nilgiris & Palani Hills, in an estimated area of 25,800 hectares.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"><br />'' Mr. Tomar said, to encourage farmers to grow buckwheat, Government is providing assistance through programmes like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and Mission on Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region. </span><br />