In line with the International Year of Millets 2023, India has increasingly emphasised sustainable agriculture and food security. The Millet Cultivation Campaign in Jharkhand stands out as a crucial step toward nutritional improvement and livelihood support, particularly in its tribal and drought-prone regions.
The Millet Cultivation Campaign in Jharkhand is part of the broader Millets Mission initiated by the Government of India. Jharkhand, with its diverse tribal population and vulnerable agro-climatic zones, is an ideal ground for millets, known for their climate resilience, low water requirement, and high nutritional value.
Launched under the combined efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Food Security, the campaign encourages millet farming across drought-prone districts of the state. Key features include the promotion of indigenous millet seeds, value chain development, and integration with the Midday Meal Scheme to enhance school nutrition.
This effort directly contributes to SDG-2 (Zero Hunger) and India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture, while also empowering local farmers through crop diversification and increased incomes.
Why Focus on Millets in Jharkhand?
Millets, often referred to as โShree Annaโ in India, are known for their rich nutrient profile and resilience to erratic climatic conditions. Jharkhandโs soil and rainfall patterns are ideal for traditional millet varieties such as kodo, ragi, and bajra.
The UN General Assembly, recognising the value of millets in ensuring global food and nutritional security, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This campaign is Jharkhandโs proactive response to this global call.
Key Highlights of the Millet Cultivation Campaign
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โ Indigenous Focus: Use of local seed varieties to preserve agro-biodiversity.
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โ Nutrition Integration: Millets are to be introduced in school meals and anganwadi centres.
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โ Capacity Building: Training for farmers on cultivation and post-harvest management.
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โ Value Addition: Emphasis on millet-based processing units and market linkage.
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โ Government Support: Strong backing from the state departments of agriculture and food security.
Points to Remember
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๐ฑ Supports nutritional security in tribal and rural areas.
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๐พ Encourages climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices.
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๐ฎ๐ณ Aligned with UN & GoI Millets Initiatives.
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๐๏ธ Run by the Agriculture and Food Security Department of Jharkhand.
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๐ฐ Boosts farm income and food diversity through value chain creation.
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