Millets and Pulses of India
Millets (Coarse Grains)
Millets — called nutri-cereals since 2018 — are drought-resistant, short-duration crops grown in dryland areas. India is the world’s largest producer of millets.
Types and Distribution
| Millet | Local Names | Temperature | Rainfall | Major States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jowar (Sorghum) | Sorgam in South, Jwari in Marathi | 25-30°C | 30-65 cm | Maharashtra (largest), Karnataka, MP, Telangana |
| Bajra (Pearl millet) | Bajra, Kambu (Tamil) | 25-30°C | 15-50 cm | Rajasthan (largest), Haryana, UP, Gujarat |
| Ragi (Finger millet) | Nachni, Mandua | 20-30°C | 50-100 cm | Karnataka (largest), Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh |
Jowar Production
- Area: ~4.5 million hectares
- Production: ~5 million tonnes
- Growing season: Both kharif and rabi
- Kharif jowar (Jun-Oct): Maharashtra, MP, Rajasthan
- Rabi jowar (Oct-Feb): Maharashtra, Karnataka — higher yields
- Uses: Food (rotla, bhakri), fodder, animal feed (stalks), ethanol production
Bajra Production
- Area: ~7.5 million hectares
- Production: ~9 million tonnes
- Growing season: Kharif (Jun-Sep)
- Drought tolerance: Most drought-hardy of Indian cereals; grows in desert conditions
- Uses: Roti (bajra rotla in Rajasthan), porridge, fodder, malting
- MSP (2024-25): ₹2,625/quintal
Ragi Production
- Area: ~1.5 million hectares
- Production: ~2 million tonnes
- Growing season: Kharif; also spring in some areas
- Nutrition: Highest calcium content among all cereals (344 mg/100g)
- Uses: Ragi mudde (Karnataka — staple), malted baby food
- Agro-climatic: Grown on poor stony soils, hilly slopes; does not require irrigation
Pulses
India is the world’s largest producer and consumer of pulses, accounting for 25% of global production. Pulses are a crucial protein source for India’s largely vegetarian population.
| Pulse | Common Name | Growing Season | Rainfall | Major States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gram | Chana (Bengal gram) | Rabi (Oct-Dec) | 50-75 cm | MP (largest), Rajasthan, UP, Maharashtra, Punjab |
| Tur/Arhar | Pigeon pea | Kharif (Jun-Jul) | 60-100 cm | Maharashtra, Karnataka, MP, UP |
| Moong | Green gram | Kharif, Rabi, Zaid | 60-80 cm | Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, Karnataka |
| Urad | Black gram | Kharif, Rabi | 60-100 cm | MP, UP, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu |
| Masur | Lentil | Rabi (Oct-Nov) | 40-60 cm | UP, MP, Bihar, West Bengal |
| Matar | Peas | Rabi (Oct-Dec) | 40-60 cm | UP, MP, Bihar |
Production Challenges
- Low yields: Indian pulse yields are among the lowest globally (600-800 kg/ha vs. global average 900-1,000 kg/ha)
- Rainfed cultivation: 80-85% of pulse area is rainfed — vulnerable to monsoon failure
- Pest and disease: Pod borers, wilt disease, blight — cause 20-30% losses
- Price volatility: Fluctuations between MSP and open market prices
Government Initiatives for Pulses
| Scheme | Purpose |
|---|---|
| NFSM-Pulses | National Food Security Mission for Pulses (since 2007) |
| Price Support Scheme (PSS) | Procurement at MSP to protect farmers |
| BJP-MOONG (Bharatiya Janata Party marker — actually it’s a generic scheme) | Technology mission for pulses |
| Import duty | Variable import duty to protect domestic producers |
Production Trends
India produces about 25-28 million tonnes of pulses annually (2023-24: ~27.5 MT). The country still imports ~3-4 million tonnes (mainly tur and urad from Myanmar, Mozambique, Tanzania).
Self-sufficiency: The government aims for Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in pulses by 2027 through area expansion in MP, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh using short-duration varieties in rice fallows.
Nutritional Importance of Millets and Pulses
The year 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) on India’s proposal. Millets are:
- Climate-resilient (drought, heat tolerant)
- Low glycemic index (good for diabetics)
- Gluten-free
- Rich in B vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber
- Require 70% less water than rice and 50% less than wheat