As India rides the wave of millet resurgence, Chhattisgarh has emerged as a key player, championing millet cultivation to enhance food security and sustainable agriculture. However, the success of these initiatives raises critical questions about implementation, scalability, and tangible outcomes in the state’s diverse socio-economic landscape.
The Case for Millets: Nutritional and Agricultural Resilience
- Nutrition in Numbers:
Millets, such as ragi, jowar, and bajra, contain 10-12% protein, 3-4% fiber, and are rich in iron, calcium, and antioxidants, making them ideal for combating malnutrition in Chhattisgarh, where 37.6% of children under 5 are stunted (NFHS-5). - Climate Adaptability:
Millets require 70% less water and are highly resilient to drought and pests, offering a solution to Chhattisgarh’s frequent water scarcity in rain-fed agricultural zones.
Government’s Millet Mission: Ambition Meets Reality
- Expansion Targets:
The Chhattisgarh Millet Mission aims to increase millet cultivation to 3 lakh hectares by 2026 from the current 2.3 lakh hectares in 2025. While promising, experts point out the need for robust irrigation, storage, and supply chain infrastructure to achieve these goals.
(Chhattisgarh Agriculture Department) - Budgetary Allocations:
A dedicated ₹500 crore budget has been sanctioned for millet promotion, including subsidies on seeds and fertilizers, procurement incentives, and farmer training. However, only 65% of funds have been utilized in the first half of 2025, raising concerns about implementation efficiency. - Procurement Challenges:
Despite announcing a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for millets, only 38% of cultivated produce was procured through government channels last year, highlighting gaps in market access for farmers.
Critically Examining the Impact
- Low Farmer Participation:
While the state claims a 15% rise in millet farmers, many smallholders remain reluctant due to low market demand and inadequate price realization. - Mid-Day Meal Integration:
Millets were introduced into 65% of government school mid-day meal programs, but logistical challenges have delayed full-scale implementation, limiting the nutritional benefits to children in tribal regions. - Economic Sustainability:
Although input costs for millet farming are lower, the lack of processing units and market demand has restricted profit margins for farmers.
A Double-Edged Sword for Food Security
Chhattisgarh’s focus on millets addresses crucial issues like malnutrition and water conservation, but systemic inefficiencies threaten the long-term viability of these initiatives. Without robust procurement, farmer incentives, and market linkages, the millet mission risks becoming another underutilized program.
Key Takeaway:
Millets hold promise, but Chhattisgarh must streamline execution, enhance farmer support systems, and actively drive consumer demand to realize their full potential as a sustainable food security solution.
