Millets: Crop of the Future
Globally , millets are the sixth most cultivated grains after corn,rice,wheat,barley and sorghum. In many developing countries it is the main source of protein. In recent past there has been buzz around the millets in media. So, what makes the millets so special?
Millets are one of the most sustainable crop to grow. According to International crops research institute for the semi-arid tropics (ICRISAT), one rice plant needs nearly 2.5 times the amount of water required by a single millet plant of most varieties. Millets can be grown even in saline soil as well as they possess property to withstand higher temperature as compared to rice , wheat and any other such crop.They can be seen as important solution for farmers who are grappling with climate change,soil salinity, heatwaves , droughts etc.
The complete cycle to grow millet from planted seeds to harvest ready crop varies between 65–67 days. So they can be grown in shorter duration as compared to other crops( Example- Rice and wheat takes nearly 120–140 days to be harvest ready).
India has jeopardized food storage system. Millet can also help to encounter this issue because it is broadly pest free crop and can be stored very easily even for 7–8 years.
Recently Kerela government initiated a scheme- ‘The millet village’ on trial basis. As per reports , results were quite satisfactory. On 02 February, 2019 finance minister of Kerela T.M. Thomas announced to expand the scheme to other parts of the state.
It will be applaudable move if central government comes up with a national futuristic plan in order to encourage and support the farmers to cultivate millets specially in areas where water scarcity, soil salinity are major obstacles for farming.
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