GS-3: Major crops-cropping patterns in various parts of the country,
GS-2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Significance of Millet Farming
Context: UN General Assembly adopted a resolution declaring 2023 the International Year of Millets, as proposed by India to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
About Millets
Millets are coarse grains and a repository of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals.
They include jowar (sorghum), ragi (finger millet), korra (foxtail millet), arke (kodo millet), sama (little millet), bajra (pearl millet), chena/barr (proso millet) and sanwa (barnyard millet).
Millets were one of the oldest foods known to humans. But they were discarded in favour of wheat and rice with urbanization and industrialization
India is their largest global producer, with a 41% market share, and a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% is projected for the global millet market in the coming decade.
What are the advantages with Millets?
Climate Resilience
Being hardy crops, they can withstand extreme temperatures, floods and droughts.
They also help mitigate the effects of climate change through their low carbon footprint of 3,218-kg CO2 equivalent per hectare, as compared to wheat and rice, with 3,968kg and 3,401kg, respectively, on the same measure.
Restoration of ecosystems and sustainability:
Land degradation has been a major problem in India, causing massive economic losses year after year. Drought-tolerant crops, like millets, with low dependence on chemical inputs would put far less pressure on ecosystems.
The inter-cropping of millets with other crops is especially beneficial because the fibrous roots of millet plants help in improving soil quality, keep water run-off in check and aid soil conservation in erosion-prone areas, thereby restoring natural ecosystems.
Biofuel and Ethanol Blending
In June 2021, government set a target of achieving 20% ethanol blending with petrol by 2025.
Most bio-ethanol in India is produced using sugar molasses and maize.
However, a study conducted among farmers in Madhya Pradesh showed that bio-ethanol can be created using sorghum (jowar) and pearl millet (bajra), and that this fuel could bring down carbon emissions by about half.
Estimates also suggest that millets can deliver greater returns than maize, while using 40% less energy in processing. Millets also offer a significant cost advantage over maize as a feedstock for bio-ethanol production.
A cultural connection:
The cultivation of millets is deep-rooted in Indian culture.
Organizations like Deccan Development Society have formed women’s collectives in Telangana and are promoting millets through a culture-centric approach.
Such crop sensitization has filtered into urban settings too. In 2018, the #LetsMilletCampaign in Bengaluru saw the use of millets in dishes such as risotto and pizza by restaurateurs.
Helps address Sustainable DGs:
Millets can play a role in India’s sustainability policy interventions. Contemporary research developments have shed light on the influence of millets on energy optimization, climate resilience and ecosystem restoration.
Millet farming has led to women’s empowerment, too. The Odisha Millet Mission, for example, saw 7.2 million women emerge as ‘agri-preneurs’.
What are the concerns with Millets growth?
A rise in incomes and urbanization has reduced the demand for millets
Inadequate government policies.
Unjust pricing for farmers due to intermediaries.
Lack of input subsidies and price incentives.
Procurement and subsidised supply of rice & wheat through the PDS has made farmers shift from millets to these crops.
Millets being used for various purposes other than for consumption.
Way Forward
Incentivizing the adoption of inter-cropping with millets (two or more crops planted side by side) and providing crop insurance and support for storage facilities will foster income and food security.
Brimming with potential, millets can act as a vital cog in the country’s sustainable development wheel if backed by policies that promote their production, incentivize farmers and strengthen market linkages.
