Death of Elephants due to Kodo Millet Poisoning

• 05 Nov 2024

Why in News?

Recently, a group of elephants in Madhya Pradesh’s Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve died due to suspected kodo millet poisoning, a grain that can become toxic under certain environmental conditions.

Key Points

• About Kodo Millet:
  • Kodo millet known as Paspalum scrobiculatum is a resilient, drought-tolerant crop with high yield and excellent storage, often serving as a staple for tribal and economically disadvantaged communities in India.
  • India, particularly Madhya Pradesh, is one of its largest producers.
  • Apart from MP, the millet is cultivated in Gujarat, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Tamil Nadu.
• Kodo Millet’s Toxicity:
  • Millets, especially kodo millet, are prone to fungal infections like ergot, which can produce toxins that harm grain yield and cause poisoning if consumed. These infections are particularly damaging in humid conditions.
  • Toxicity arises when environmental conditions foster fungal growth, producing the mycotoxin cyclopiazonic acid (CPA).
  • CPA affects the nervous and cardiovascular systems, causing symptoms like vomiting, tremors, and cold extremities in animals.
• Historical Cases of Kodo Poisoning:
  • Documented cases date back to 1922, with both humans and animals affected by mycotoxin-laden millet.
  • Kodo millet poisoning has led to periodic wildlife fatalities, including an elephant death in 2022.
• Detection and Prevention:
  • Detection requires chemical analysis, such as chromatography or rapid methods like ELISA.
  • To prevent contamination, experts advise proper storage and biocontrol methods, which involve beneficial organisms that limit fungal spread.

Millet

• About:
  • It is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
  • Some of the common millets available in India are Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).
    • The earliest evidence for these grains has been found in Indus civilization and was one of the first plants domesticated for food.
  • It is grown in about 131 countries and is the traditional food for around 60 crore people in Asia & Africa.
  • India is the largest producer of millet in the world.
    • It accounts for 20% of global production and 80% of Asia’s production.
• Global Distribution:
  • India, Nigeria and China are the largest producers of millets in the world, accounting for more than 55% of the global production.
  • For many years, India was a major producer of millets. However, in recent years, millet production has increased dramatically in Africa.