Coarse Grain Cultivation will get a Boost in Jharkhand | 27 Jan 2023

Why In News?

On January 26, 2023, the Jharkhand Agriculture Department has decided to promote millets as well in the light of the order of the Government of India. For this, the unit committee of the department has now planned of Rs 10 crore.

Key points

• In this scheme, a plan has been prepared to promote the production of coarse grains in different districts of Jharkhand in the coming years. There are full possibilities to promote the production of coarse cereals in the state. Earlier, many types of coarse grains were produced here.
• It is worth mentioning that for the last two years, the Agriculture Department serves only coarse grain products to the guests in its big programmes. Madua ki roti, Madua ka pitha, Chhilka roti etc. are served in the workshop of Agriculture Department.
• The Agriculture Department will organize seminars from state to block level on the utility and potential of coarse grains.
• It is known that the Government of India is celebrating the year 2023 as Millet's Year. In view of this, the state government has also prepared a plan. In this, the opinion of experts working on coarse grains will also be taken.
• There is good potential for ragi production in Jharkhand. According to the APEDA report, Jharkhand produces close to 15,000 tonnes of ragi. In the financial year 2017-18, there was a production of close to 18 thousand tonnes. Jowar is also producing about one thousand tonnes. This is happening when it was not on the priority list of the government.
• Unit committee director Ajay Kumar said that coarse grains were cultivated in the state for years. The tribal communities here cultivated plenty of coarse grains. Due to lack of market, it could not be promoted.
• He said that now there is no problem in the market for coarse grains. It is also selling very expensive in the market. Its biggest advantage is that it is a completely organic crop. It does not require pesticides and is prepared in less water.
• It is known that Jharkhand gets drought from time to time. In view of this, the cultivation of coarse grains will prove to be very effective for Jharkhand.