Trend Analysis of the Changing Landscape in the Area and Production of Millet Cultivation in India: A Review

Abstract

Millets, the earliest domesticated grains since the Indus Valley Civilization (3000 B.C.), are renowned as “Hardy Cereals” for their drought resilience and minimal irrigation requirements. Millets are nutritionally rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. As per the 2016-17 report of the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, India, the area under the cultivation of millets in India has reduced by 60% (14.72 million hectares). Despite the manifold benefits associated with millet cultivation, farmers face significant challenges, primarily stemming from the inadequate infrastructure required for processing, lack of extension services and marketing millets. The government is making efforts to increase millets production through various promotional campaigns such as the National Millets Year and International Millets Year. In this article we have attempted to illustrate the millet scenario in world and in India with the analysis of the trends in area, production and productivity of the major and the minor millets of the country.