Millets in India: Types, Production, Benefits & Sustainable Farming
Gajendra Singh Godara
Nov 6, 2025
16
mins read
Millets are a group of family Poaceae. These small seeded grasses are grown worldwide as cereal grains for food and fodder. In India they are valued for their short growth cycle and resilience. They are particularly well-suited to areas with low rainfall and poor soil fertility. Most millets mature in just 3–4 months under warm, dry conditions, thriving on poor soils with minimal irrigation or inputs making them the backbone of dryland agriculture.
These “hardy” crops are central to India’s dryland agriculture and nutritional security. Nutritionally, millets are better than common staples: they are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals (iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium) and are naturally gluten-free.
Therefore, the Government of India has rebranded millets as “Nutri-cereals”. In 2023 the UN declared the International Year of Millets at India’s proposal, highlighting millets’ role in diet diversity and climate resilient farming.
Types of Millet Crops in India: Classification, Varieties & Nutritional Highlights
Millet crops in India are classified by grain size into two categories: major and minor millets, with a few pseudo-millets (pseudocereals).
Major millets are large seeded crops like:
Pearl Millet (bajra)
Sorghum (jowar).
Minor millets (smaller seed size) include
Finger Millet (ragi),
Foxtail Millet (kangni),
Little Millet (kutki/swank),
Kodo Millet (kodon/kodra),
Barnyard Millet (sanwa),
Proso Millet (cheena)
Browntop Millet (hari kangni).
Pseudo-millets (not true cereals) common in India are Amaranth (rajgira) and Buckwheat (kuttu).
In India, in addition to giving millions of people in arid and semi-arid areas food security, millets have health advantages like better digestion, stronger bones, and easier control of diabetes. The Minor millets are valued for protein and minerals. The main types of millets in India, along with their nutritional benefits and production regions, are given below.
Pearl Millet (Bajra):
Among various types of millet, bajra is the most cultivated one. It's extensively cultivated in dry climatic conditions. Bajra grains are rich in iron, fiber, and protein.
Bajra provides more fiber than wheat, and is also a good source of zinc and B-vitamins.
Being an energy dense grain, bajra provides surplus strength and helps in combating anemia.
Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are the leading producers.
Finger Millet (Ragi):
Finger millet is also known as the 'Queen of millets'. This is due to the reason that it is also the best source of calcium.
Low in glycemic index, it helps in controlling blood sugar levels and thus, provides iron, calcium, amino acids, carbs and an overall balanced diet
Sorghum (Jowar):
Jowar is gluten free and versatile, sorghum grain is high in antioxidants, protein and fiber.
It contains B-vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin) and folic acid.
Its tougher grains slow digestion, making it useful in diabetic diets.
Foxtail Millet (Kangni/Rala):
This minor millet is high in dietary fiber, iron and magnesium, with a low glycemic index.
It helps digestion and maintains blood sugar. It is rich in vitamin B-complex.
Little Millet (Kutki/Swank):
Little Millet is easily digestible and light. It has B-vitamins (especially niacin, thiamine), iron and fiber.
It cooks quickly and is used in fasting foods and porridge.
Barnyard Millet (Sanwa):
Barnyard Millet is very low in calories and high in fiber, calcium and phosphorus.
It has soothing properties for the stomach and is often eaten during fasting
Its high fiber helps gut health.
Kodo Millet (Kodra):
A nutritious minor millet, kodo has high protein, fiber and minerals (especially iron).
It is popular for weight management and diabetic diets due to its bulk and nutrient density.
Proso Millet (Cheena):
A short-duration crop, proso millet is rich in protien and contains healthy fatty acids.
It matures fast, making it useful as a relay or catch-crop.
Brown Top Millet (Hari Kangni):
Brown Top is a lesser-known millet that provides dietary fiber and a good range of nutrients.
Being a source of phyto-nutrients, amino-acids, and a good supporter of digestive health.
Buckwheat (Kuttu, pseudo-millet):
Even though it is not a Poaceae Grass, Buckwheat is milled like a grain.
It contains no gluten, is high in protein, and consists of heart friendly bioflavonoids and a complete amino-acid profile.
It is used in making noodles and rotis.
Amaranth (Ramdana, pseudo-millet):
Amaranth is another pseudo-cereal. It has high amounts of protein which includes lysine, fiber, iron and calcium.
It is used in popped grain or flour form in diets for child nutrition and anemia.
Fonio (Acha, pseudo-millet):
Fonio is a West African cereal that is now grown experimentally in India. It is gluten-free and cooks very quickly.
Its protein contains high levels of essential sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine) and is high in calcium, iron, zinc, and magnesium, and can withstand very extreme climates.
Each millet crop in India has unique traits but they commonly provide more micronutrients and fiber than rice or wheat. Together, the millet family offers a spectrum of healthy grains suited to diverse cuisines and climates in India.
Millet Cultivation in India : Agro-Climate, Farming Practices & Crop Dynamics
The Agro climatic suitability, farming of millets in India and crop dynamics are given below:
Agro-climatic Suitability:
Millets do well in India's semi-arid and arid zones. 90-120 days are some of the shortest growing durations. It conveniently slots in between the expected monsoon rains.
Compared to rice and wheat, millets endure heat and drought much better. Many types thrive with annual rainfall below 350-500 mm.
Millets can grow in marginal, low-fertility and even mildly saline and acidic soils. These areas consist of sandy, light-loamy, black regur and red soils, which are mildly alkaline, saline, and marginal to low fertility.
Due to their climate suitability, they can be grown in areas where other crops fail. This adaptability makes them best suited to climate-smart farming.
Cropping Patterns:
Indian millets are predominantly Kharif or monsoon season crops, but short-cycle varieties can also be planted during Rabi in regions such as Maharashtra and Karnataka.
Millets are also planted in multilayer systems or in conjunction with other crops. Bajra, jowar and ragi are intercropped with cotton and pulses as well as with each other.
This kind of seasonal planning is one of the reasons why millet farming in India is promoted and maintains positive cash flow to a farm. Bajra as it is popularly known, is exceedingly resilient and can be planted on half the field ensuring that a portion of the crop will always yield grain.Even if the monsoon season is a flop and the other half planted with cotton or sorghum does not yield.
Smallholder Relevance:
Millet cultivation is majorly by small and marginal farmers in dryland areas. These farmers benefit from millets’ low input needs:
millets grow with little or no fertilizer and often without irrigation.
The crops are resistant to pests/diseases and require fewer agrochemicals.
In many tribal and remote regions, millets remain staple foods precisely because they can be cultivated on degraded soils unsuited for rice/wheat.
Challenges in Cultivation:
Despite these advantages, millet yields lag behind major cereals. For example, average bajra yields are often ~1.5 ton/ha, jowar ~1 t/ha and ragi ~1.7 t/ha – much lower than rice or wheat yields (3–4 t/ha).
This yield gap discourages farmers under assured irrigation and support for rice/wheat.
Post-harvest issues also persist: millets have harder husks, shorter shelf lives, and limited processing facilities in rural areas, which dampens commercialization.
Millet Production in India: Scale, Trends & Geographic Distribution
Millet Production Trends in India
India is the largest producer of millets in the world.
In 2021–22, India produced about 20-21 million tonnes of millets (with 27% growth from the previous year).
Bajra (pearl millet) made up about 60% of this.
Jowar (sorghum) made up about 27%.
Ragi (finger millet) made up about 11%.
In 2023–24, total millet production was around 17–18 million tonnes.
The adoption of millets in public food security programs remains limited.Further indicating significant potential to mainstream these nutritious crops into government food schemes and nutrition programs.
Where Millets Are Grown
Millets are grown mostly in western and southern India.
The main millet-producing states are:
Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
These states produce about 98% of the total millets in India.
Rajasthan is the top producer of millets especially for bajra.
Bajra and jowar are grown in the northwest. Ragi and foxtail millets are grown in the south.
Benefits of Millets in India: Nutrition, Health and Environment
Nutritional Benefits of Millets
Millets are nutrient dense superfoods. They have more fiber, minerals, and vitamins than rice or wheat.
Millets are rich in iron, zinc, calcium, magnesium, and B-vitamins. Millets are gluten free whole grains.
They contain essential amino acids like leucine, valine, and lysine.
Millets help reduce “hidden hunger” by filling micronutrient gaps in diets.
Health Benefits: Diabetes and Weight Management
The complex carbohydrates in millets release sugar slowly.
Their low glycemic index makes them good for diabetics. Sorghum and finger millet digest slowly, helping control blood sugar.
Studies call millets “smart foods” for their nutrition and health value..
Environmental and Sustainable Advantages
Millets can withstand extreme temperatures and poor and dry soils which makes them highly climate resilient. Additionally, they require less water.
Millets require very small amounts of water for irrigation. In fact, they use up to 70 percent less water than what paddy(rice) and cotton crops use during irrigation.
Millets promote agro-diversity and assisted ecosystem recovery. Those who cultivate millets can sustain their yield during droughts, which is why they are so vital to climate-smart agriculture.
Socio-Economic Benefits of Millets
Millets are cheap and nutritious foods for low-income families. They help make diets healthier and more affordable in rural areas.
They act as “insurance crops” for small and marginal farmers during droughts or crop failures.
Promoting millet farming in India can improve food security in remote and dry regions.
The cost of growing millets is low, as they need fewer inputs like fertilizers or water. This gives farmers better profits and higher income per rupee spent.
Reintroducing traditional millet dishes into regular diets can improve nutrition among women and children. This is especially helpful for tribal and undernourished communities.
Overall, millets support better livelihoods, food security, and public health in rural India.
Policy, Institutional Support & Market Framework for Millets in India
Government Initiatives
Millets declared as “Nutri-Cereals” (2018)
India celebrated 2018 as the National Year of Millets.
Awareness drives, exhibitions, and recipe campaigns were launched.
Global Recognition (2023 – International Year of Millets)
The UN General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, led by India.
Strengthened global visibility of India’s millet sector.
Research and Development Support
ICAR and agricultural universities developed high-yielding and disease-resistant varieties.
Example: Pusa-1201 bajra hybrid with a yield potential of 2.8 t/ha.
Public Awareness Drives
Millet Melas, food festivals, and recipe inclusion in government cookbooks to promote consumption.
Public Distribution and Procurement
Integration into Food Security Schemes
Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), states can now procure millets.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana PMGKAY (2023) included millets in Targeted PDS in states like Telangana, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
Nutrition Schemes Inclusion
Mid-Day Meal and Anganwadi (Poshan 2.0, Saksham) programs encouraged the use of local millets.
Procurement Initiatives and MSP Implementation
The government procures bajra, jowar, and ragi through FCI, State Civil Supplies Corporations, and Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies at declared MSP rates.
Value Chain and Market Development
Post-Harvest Infrastructure Focus
Establish cleaning, milling, and storage facilities at community levels.
Promote agro-processing units for millet-based flours, cereals, and snacks.
Processing and Export Promotion
National Food Processing Mission (2023): 50 millet clusters funded.
Aim to make India a global hub for nutri-cereals.
Marketing and Consumer Awareness
FSSAI’s Smart Food campaign and FPO initiatives promote millet-based packaged foods.
Media, schools, and restaurants used for nutrition education and demand generation.
Challenges ahead for Millets in India
1. Low Productivity and Limited Research
Millet yields are still lower than wheat or rice. Many farmers use old seed varieties that give less output. There is a lack of awareness and access to certified millet seeds.
More research and development (R&D) is needed to create high-yield, pest-resistant varieties.
2. Small and Fragmented Land Holdings
Most millet farmers have small plots of land. This makes it difficult to use modern technology or machinery. Low economies of scale reduce profitability and market competitiveness.
3. Poor Processing Infrastructure
Most mills and food units are designed for rice and wheat, not millets.
Lack of cleaning, dehusking, and milling machines reduces quality and shelf-life. Setting up local processing centers can help farmers add more value to their produce.
4. Weak Market and Distribution Systems
Millets are still not widely available in markets or retail stores. Transport and storage issues make it hard to reach urban consumers. Price fluctuations discourage farmers from growing millets regularly.
5. Consumer Perceptions
Many urban people still see millets as “poor man’s food.” There is low awareness of their health benefits.
Campaigns like cooking shows, recipe contests, and millet festivals can change this mindset.
Schools and public programs can include millet dishes (like millet laddoos or khichdi) to promote acceptance.
6. Need for Stronger Value Chain
The entire millet system — from seed to market — needs better coordination.
Stronger market linkages, MSP support, and farmer training can help millets compete with rice and wheat.
As part of India’s agri-food story, millets have reached a transformative stage. After being staple grains, they were forgotten for rice and wheat. Nowadays, in India they are ‘climate-smart’ ‘nutri-cereals’ that are key in the fight for food and nutritional security. To capitalize all the potential of millets, India needs a broad approach.
This includes promoting research and development of millets, including them in the national food security systems, and improving the infrastructure for millets. Most of all, the revolution of millets in India will come from empowering farmers and educating consumers. This way, these ‘humble’ grains will be able to contribute significantly to the country's food and nutritional security.
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