MILLETS

MILLETS

● The year 2018 was designated as the "National Year of Millets," and the UN
General Assembly adopted a resolution sponsored by India to declare 2023 as the
"International Year of Millets."
● Millets are also referred to as nutri-cereals.
● Examples of millets include sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), and finger millet
(ragi).
 MILLETS

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 MILLETS

● Growing Conditions: Temperature: Millets are typically cultivated in tropical and

sub-tropical regions up to an altitude of 2,100m. These plants thrive in warm
climates, with a minimum germination temperature of 8-10°C. A mean
temperature range of 26-29°C during growth is optimal for their development and
high crop yields.
● Rainfall: Millets are cultivated in areas with rainfall ranging from 500-900mm.
Kodo Millet has a higher water requirement and grows well in moderate rainfall
of 50-60cm.
 MILLETS

● Soil: Millets exhibit wide adaptability to various soil types, ranging from very poor
to highly fertile, and can tolerate some degree of alkalinity. The best soils for
millet cultivation are alluvial, loamy, and sandy soils with good drainage.

● Topography: Kodo millet can thrive in gravelly and stony soils, making it suitable
for hilly regions. Field preparation: The initial ploughing should be performed
deeply using a soil turning plough at the beginning of the monsoon. Creating a fine
tilth is crucial for proper germination and crop establishment.
Properties and Associated Benefits
● Millets can withstand high temperatures and prolonged drought periods.
● They can be cultivated in poor soils and challenging terrains.
● Millets are adaptable to sub-tropical and tropical areas with low or seasonal
rainfall, typically less than 76 cm, or as a dry crop in rotation.
● Millets possess several health benefits, such as being anti-acidic, gluten-free, and
aiding in the prevention of type 2 diabetes. They are also effective in reducing
blood pressure and the risk of gastrointestinal conditions. Additionally, millets
can alleviate problems like constipation, excess gas, bloating, and cramping. They
act as a probiotic, promoting a healthy inner ecosystem.
Properties and Associated Benefits

● Millets play a critical role in climate change mitigation measures, particularly in

drylands, and are important for smallholder and marginal farmers.
● Bioethanol can be produced using sorghum (jowar) and pearl millet (bajra),
potentially reducing carbon emissions by about half.
● The United Nations has designated 2023 as the International Year of Millets, and
preparations are underway for global celebrations.
 Distribution

● India, Nigeria, and China are the largest millet producers globally, accounting for
over 55% of global production. While India has been a significant millet producer
for many years, Africa has witnessed a significant increase in millet production in
recent years.
● Major millet-producing states in India include Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh,
Telangana, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Haryana.
 What factors contribute to India's slow
adoption of millet-based products?

● From 1999 to 2016, India experienced an average annual growth rate of only
4.56% in millet consumption. The highest increase in domestic millet
consumption occurred in 2002-2003, with a growth rate of approximately
115.15%. However, over the years, the growth rate of millet consumption in the
country has been declining, reaching an extremely low rate of 8.33% in
2019-2020.
 What factors contribute to India's slow
adoption of millet-based products?
● There has been a significant decline in the cultivated area for all millets,
accompanied by a drastic 76% decrease in total production of small millets.
Millets are increasingly perceived as "poor person's food," highlighting the need
to rebrand them as nutri-cereals and promote their production and consumption.
These crops have historically suffered from policy neglect, receiving lower or
negligible production support compared to other crops. Additionally, there is a
lack of access to improved production methods and technologies, as well as
inadequate post-harvest processing technologies for small millets, excluding
finger millet.
 What factors contribute to India's slow
adoption of millet-based products?

● Millets face competition from other lucrative crops in the market, and changes in
consumption preferences, influenced by the inclusion of only rice and wheat in
the Public Distribution System (PDS) and a shift towards Sanskritization. There is
a lack of public or private-funded initiatives to promote millets as a nutritious
food category.
 Government Actions

● Implementation of the Integrated Cereals Development Programmes in Coarse

Cereals (ICDP-CC) in cropping systems areas under the Macro Management of
Agriculture (MMA).
● Introduction of the Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet
Promotion (INSIMP) as part of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY), which
provides comprehensive support for millet production.
● Implementation of the Rainfed Area Development Programme (RADP) as a
component of the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY).
 Future Strategy

● Expansion of millet cultivation to additional areas, leading to increased cropping

intensity in dryland agriculture and higher output and farm revenues.
● Utilization of post-kharif fallow lands with residual soil moisture, especially in
high rainfall regions like central and eastern Indian states.
● Promotion of millet-based intercropping systems.
● Utilization of funds from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to convert common wastelands into cultivable lands,
with a targeted and integrated approach.
 Future Strategy

● Establishment of primary processing facilities at the farm gate/village level,

including primary processing units under the National Food Security initiative.
● Implementation of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and agricultural
machinery schemes by the Ministry of Agriculture.
● Advocacy and promotion of consumer awareness about nutri-cereals nationwide
to generate demand.
● Integration of nutri-rich millet fodder with existing millet supply chain models,
especially for millets like sorghum, to enhance farmers' income and provide a
valuable fodder source.