Chhattisgarh leads the way in millet procurement at support prices
State Government’s proactive steps lead to a surge in millet cultivation
Raipur 17 June 2023// Chhattisgarh is emerging as a ‘Millet Hub’ in the country. Due to the state government’s proactive efforts to encourage millet cultivation, there has been a significant surge in the cultivation of Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi crops. The implementation of the Millet Mission further aims to promote millet cultivation across the state. Notably, the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce (Trading & Development) Co-operative Federation Limited has successfully procured 5,273 tonnes of millets, amounting to Rs 16.03 crore, during the year 2021-22 and 13,050 tonnes of millets amounting to Rs 39.60 crores in the year 2022-23.
With a vision to expand millet cultivation, the state has set a target of increasing the area under millet cultivation from 96,000 hectares to 1.60 lakh hectares during the Kharif Year 2023.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel, a special initiative has been taken to procure millets at support prices. Chhattisgarh stands as the sole state in the country where the purchase of Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi is facilitated at support prices, along with their value addition. The state government has fixed the support price for Kodo-Kutki at Rs 3,000 per quintal, while that for Ragi has been set at Rs 3,377 per quintal. In the previous season, farmers sold an impressive 34,298 quintals of millets worth Rs 10.45 crores at support prices.
Farmer Success Story: Shri Balluram earns Rs 68,000 from Ragi cultivation
Shri Balluram, a farmer hailing from the village Amlidih in the Dongargarh development block, cultivated Ragi on one hectare under the National Agricultural Development Scheme. He used vermicompost produced under the ambitious Godhan NYAY Yojna and received free Ragi seeds as well. After harvesting the crop, he obtained a yield of 12 quintals and sold the Ragi, earning an income of Rs 68,000. Shri Balluram mentioned that compared to traditional paddy cultivation, his profit from Ragi cultivation was nearly 1.5 times higher. He plans to cultivate more Ragi crops each year.
Millet is rich in nutrients
Coarse grains have been consumed in many tribal areas of the country for a long time, offering significant health benefits. As a result, they are now being utilized in other regions as well. According to experts, Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi are considered nutritious grains, abundant in protein and vitamins. Their consumption can be beneficial for diseases including diabetes and hypertension. Kodo, Kutki, and Ragi hold significant importance in the culinary and dietary traditions of the tribal cultures of the Surguja and Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
Chhattisgarh has bagged Poshak Anaj Award 2022
It is worth mentioning that Chhattisgarh has been awarded the ‘Poshak Anaj Award 2022’ for its efforts in promoting millet cultivation. Millet production has been incorporated into the Rajiv Gandhi Kisan NYAY Yojna to enhance its cultivation in the state. Millet-producing farmers are being provided with an input subsidy of Rs 9,000 per acre. Millet cultivation requires less water and fertilizer, resulting in reduced input costs and increased profitability for farmers.
Hi-tech millet farming to be commenced in 14 districts
Aiming to promote millet cultivation, provide training to farmers, ensure the availability of high-quality seeds, and enhance productivity, the state has initiated the Millet Mission. Under the Millet Mission, facilitated by the Chhattisgarh State Minor Forest Produce Association, 14 districts have entered into a tripartite MoU with the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) Hyderabad. The objective of the Chhattisgarh Millet Mission is to double millet productivity from 4.5 quintals per acre to 9 quintals per acre.
