Millets in India - Production scenario

Abstract

India is a leading producer and consumer of millet crops and their products. People in arid and semi-arid regions of the country grow millet and consume it as a staple food. 'Dual purpose' millets providing grain and fodder are originally grown to ensure food and fodder security in rainfed agriculture. Most millet is Kharif season crops (sown during May–June) and ripens during September to October. Crops give good yields during the Rabi season (October–March) and summer season (January–April). Millet requires much less water than rice and wheat and is considered a drought resistant crop. These crops are mainly grown in areas with less than 450 mm rainfall. About 50 Percent of sorghum and 80 Percent of millet production is used for human consumption while the remainder is used for poultry feed, potable alcohol and other industrial purposes. In India, this crop was one of the major cereals during the 1950s and had an area of more than 18 million hectares, but this has declined to 6 million hectares in 2013. This decline is a matter of serious concern on the cropping systems and food security of these dryland areas of the country. The presented paper throws light on the millet production scenario in India