Context:
RBI Annual Report 2023-24 highlighted stagnant Millet production in India
Reasons for Stagnant Millet Production:
- Yield gap caused by labor shortages and insufficient fertilizer.
- Shift in consumer preferences and MSP-backed procurement schemes for fine cereals.
- Relatively shorter shelf life of crops posing storage issues
Millet:
- Small cereal grains that belong to Poaceae family (grass family).
- Known as – Shree Anna
- Majorly a Kharif Crop
- Classification –
- Major millets – Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Sorghum
- Minor millets – Jhangara, Sanwa, Kodo, Koda, or Arke millet
- Pseudo Millets – Buck-wheat (Kuttu) and Amaranth (Chaulai)
- Global distribution – India, Nigeria and China are the largest producers of millets in the world
- Leading states – Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, etc
Benefits of Millets:
- Climate Resilient – Millets are drought-resistant, require less water and can grow in poor soil conditions.
- Rich in nutrients – Millets are a good source of fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Gluten-free – Millets are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Low Glycemic Index – Good to prevent diabetes
Source: RBI
Previous Year Question
With reference to pulse production in India, consider the following statements:
1. Black gram can be cultivated as both kharif and rabi crop.
2. Green-gram alone accounts for nearly half of pulse production.
3. In the last three decades, while the production of kharif pulses has increased, the production of rabi pulses has decreased.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2020 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (a)
Explanation:
Statement 2 is incorrect. According to the Directorate of Economics and Statistics (DES), the share of pulse production in 2018- 19 was comprised of Tur (15.34%), Gram (43.29%), Moong (green gram,10.04%), Urad (black gram, 13.93%), Lentil (6.67%), and Other Pulses (10%).
Statement 3 is incorrect. In the last three decades, both, the production of kharif pulses and the production of rabi pulses have increased.
