Millets for climate resilient agriculture in India

Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that have been cultivated for thousands of years in India and other parts of the world. They are known for their tolerance to harsh environmental conditions such as drought and high temperatures, making them a suitable crop for climate resilient agriculture in India. In terms of water usage, millets require significantly less water compared to rice and wheat.

According to data from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), millets require around 400-500 mm of water per growing season, while rice requires around 1000-1200 mm and wheat requires around 600-800 mm. This means that millets can be grown with much less irrigation compared to rice and wheat, making them a more sustainable crop in regions with limited water resources.

In addition, millets have a shorter growing season compared to rice and wheat, which means they can be harvested earlier and avoid damage from late season droughts and floods. This also allows farmers to grow multiple crops in a single year, increasing their overall productivity and income.

In terms of yield, millets have a lower yield per hectare compared to rice and wheat. However, their lower water requirements and ability to grow on marginal lands make them a viable option for farmers in semi-arid regions and those facing water scarcity.

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in millets as a means of addressing food security and environmental challenges in India. The Indian government has been promoting millets as a crop for climate resilient agriculture by providing support for research, development, and extension activities. The government has also implemented several policies and programs to promote the cultivation of millets, including subsidies and price support for farmers.

Despite the efforts made to promote millets, the area under millet cultivation in India has been declining over the years. This is due to various factors such as lack of remunerative prices for farmers, lack of awareness about the benefits of millets, and the lack of proper infrastructure and facilities for millet cultivation.

In conclusion, millets are a suitable crop for climate resilient agriculture in India due to their tolerance to harsh environmental conditions such as drought and high temperatures. They require significantly less water compared to rice and wheat, making them a more sustainable crop in regions with limited water resources. The Indian government and private sector have been working to promote millets as a crop for climate resilient agriculture, however, the area under millet cultivation has been declining over the years due to various factors such as lack of remunerative prices, lack of awareness and lack of proper infrastructure and facilities.