What is millet farming in India? Types, benefits & complete guide

Millet farming is one of the new practices that are being increasingly followed in India. It allows farmers to cultivate the crop in dry and non-irrigated soil.
India is known as the leading cultivator of millets, producing more than 38% of total worldwide production. Let’s learn what millet farming is India and how you can get involved in it. 

What is Millet Farming?

Miller farming is the process of farming millets. Millets are the varieties of cereal seeds consumed by humans as well as for fodder purposes.

Types of Millets Grown in India

Millets fall into two categories: major millets and minor millets.

Major Millets:

Major millets refer to large-sized seeds that are commercially produced on millions of hectares.

• Bajra: Constitutes around 60% of India's millet production. Flourishes in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Haryana. 
• Jowar: Constitutes almost 22% of the total production. Produced mainly in Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. 
• Ragi: Constitutes 10% of India's total production. Produced mainly in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. 

Minor Millets:

The minor millets are crops with tiny seeds grown in limited lands, mostly tribal or small farmers' lands in places that do not have irrigation facilities, are hilly, or are far away. They have less growth time, yield, and market structures but are more nutritious than the major millets for their same weight.

• Kangni (Foxtail Millet): Early maturity. Harvested in 60 to 70 days.
• Kutki (Little Millet): Thrives in poor, hilly soils.
• Sanwa (Barnyard Millet): Grown in waterlogged soil where other millets cannot grow.
• Kodra (Kodo Millet): Common in the Deccan Plateau and Himalayan foothills.
• Chena (Proso Millet): Small growth period. It acts as a catch crop.

Step-by-Step Millet Farming Process

Here is how millet farming proceeds. 

• Field Preparation: The field must be ploughed 2-3 times, and the soil leveled. Deep tillage is not necessary for millets, but a fine seedbed ensures better germination.
• Seed Selection and Treatment: Use only certified seeds. Seeds should be treated with fungicide prior to planting to avoid smut and downy mildew.
• Sowing: Seeds should be sown to depths of 2-3 cm. The row-to-row spacing will vary from 22 to 30 cm based on the variety. Seeds can be sown at rates of 8-10 kg/ha for bajra and 10-12 kg/ha for ragi.
• Fertilizer Application: Nitrogen at 40-60 kg/ha and phosphorus at 20-30 kg/ha can be used. Millets benefit greatly from FYM application before planting.
• Irrigation: Set-up irrigation system during dry periods to increase the crop yield.
• Weeding: Weed the crop after 20-25 days. Hand weeding is the ideal for millets. 
• Harvesting: Harvesting should take place when the grains are mature and the head becomes brown. The time of maturity varies from 80-90 days for bajra to 100-130 days for ragi.

Best Season for Millet Farming in India

• The kharif season (June-October) is the principal season for cultivating millets. The cultivation of bajra, jowar, and ragi takes place immediately after the monsoon season commences.
• There are certain cultivars of jowar and bajra that are cultivated during rabi seasons (October-March) in some parts of southern and western regions owing to soil moisture.
• The cultivation of foxtail millet and barnyard millet can take place during summer seasons (February-May).

Benefits of Millet Farming for Indian Farmers

• Millets have uses beyond agriculture. These crops serve as survival instruments for farmers working under arid conditions.
• They require 25% to 30% less water compared to rice. Some species grow using only 350 mm of annual rainfall.
• They grow on unfavorable soil such as sandy, acidic, and low-nutrient soils that repel rice and wheat.
• They come with low farming expenses. Minimal fertilizers and pesticides contribute to lower production costs.
• They have a short harvesting period. It takes between 65 and 100 days for most millets to harvest, allowing farmers to cultivate another crop.

Start Millet Farming Today

Millet farming in India is a sustainable farming practice with good earning potential. Farmers can continue farming on dry land with minimal pesticides. So, think of starting it.

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