Parliament Question: Millet Cultivation and Production

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 338 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 12TH AUGUST, 2025 MILLET CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION *338. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) the data on the area under millet cultivation, production and productivity along with the details of the Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and agripreneurs provided support in the millet value chain under various Government schemes during the last five years, State and year-wise; (b) the data on the export of millet-based products during the said period and the extent to which it has changed post-declaration of the International Year of Millets; (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to incentivise food processing units, startups and exporters engaged in millet-based products; (d) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to promote millet cultivation, processing and consumption in the country; and (e) whether the Government is considering to provide Minimum Support Price enhancements or assured procurement for minor millets to incentivise farmers, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI SHIVRAJ SINGH CHOUHAN) (a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN RESPECT OF PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 338 FOR 12TH AUGUST, 2025 REGARDING “MILLET CULTIVATION AND PRODUCTION” (a): India is the world's largest producer of millets with a share of 38.4% of world’s production (FAO, 2023). The country has achieved the total millet production of 180.15 lakh tonnes during 2024-25 (as per 3rd Advance Estimate) which is higher by 4.43 lakh tonnes from the previous year’s production. The data on the area under millet cultivation, production and productivity during the last five years, State-wise and year-wise is provided in Annexure I. Out of the 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), 412 FPOs are formed with millets as primary crop and 143 FPOs are formed with millets as secondary crop. The state- wise no. of FPOs with primary and secondary crop millets is given in Annexure II. The Government is implementing “Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development” programme under Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (PM-RKVY) in which 5 Knowledge Partners and 24 RKVY Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) provide training & incubate startups for implementation of this programme, which includes one of the R-ABI i.e. ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research in Hyderabad, Telangana to promote millet based startups. Till date, financial assistance of Rs. 146.38 crore have been released to 1943 agri startups including 151 millet based startups. The details of these 151 millet based startups is at Annexure III. (b): During 2024-25, India has exported 121.37 thousand metric tonnes of millets. The details of crop-wise exports under millets during the last five years is at Annexure IV. (c) & (d): To promote millet cultivation and consumption across the country, and to incentivize food processing units, start-ups, and exporters engaged in millet-based products, the Government of India has undertaken a series of targeted interventions across the value chain. A key initiative in this regard is the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP), launched for the period from FY 2022-2023 to FY 2026-2027 with a financial outlay of ₹800 crore. The scheme aims to promote the use of millets in food products and encourage value addition by providing incentives for the manufacturing of selected millet- based products and supporting their sale in both domestic and export markets. To facilitate the export of millets and millet-based products, the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has undertaken several initiatives, including capacity-building programmes, virtual buyer-seller meets, global marketing campaigns, and the development of a dedicated millet web portal and e- catalogues. It has also established an Export Promotion Forum (EPF) and is actively collaborating with start-ups, research institutions, and international agencies to strengthen the export ecosystem for millets. In addition, assistance is being extended to start-ups engaged in the development of value-added millet products, particularly in the Ready-to-Cook (RTC) and Ready-to-Eat (RTE) segments. Start-ups in the food sector are being mobilized to drive innovation and commercialisation in this area. To further facilitate trade and traceability, separate Harmonized System (HS) codes have been introduced for millets and their value-added products.Under the “Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development” programme, financial support upto Rs. 5 lakhs are provided at the idea/pre seed stage and upto Rs. 25 lakhs at the seed stage to entrepreneurs/ startups in agriculture & allied sector based on the recommendation given by the Selection and Investment Committee (SIC). Trainings, Technical and financial assistance is provided to startups to launch their products, services, business platforms, etc. in the market and facilitate them to scale up their products and operations to attain business viability. On the production side, to increase the cultivation and productivity of millets (Shree Anna), the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals under the National Food Security & Nutrition Mission (NFSNM) in all districts of 28 States & 2 Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. Millets have also been integrated in major national nutrition and welfare programmes. Under the Poshan Abhiyan of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, millets are being promoted for their nutritional benefits. Furthermore, the Ministry of Food and Public Distribution has revised its procurement guidelines to ensure greater inclusion of millets under schemes such as the Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), and the Mid-Day Meal scheme, thereby increasing millet consumption among vulnerable populations. Following a proposal by India, backed by more than 70 countries, the United Nations General Assembly, at its 75th session in March 2021, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The year-long celebration successfully raised awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption, the suitability of millets for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions, and the benefits of creating sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers During its Presidency, India organised the two-day Global Millets Conference in March 2023 in New Delhi bringing together participants from more than 102 countries. The global conference, dedicated to the IYM 2023, facilitated discourse on important issues related to millets which included its production and consumption, nutritional benefits, value chain development, market linkages, and research and development. In addition, a series of “Millet Mahotsav” were organised in 30 districts of various States/UTs as a part of International Year of Millet (IYOM 2023) to provide support for micro food processing entrepreneurs, particularly those engaged in the processing of millet products. It aimed to foster start-ups, entrepreneurs and boost the micro sector of the food industry. (e): To incentivise farmers, the Government allows the procurement of Minor Millet such as Foxtail Millet (Kangani/Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet (Kodo), little millet (Kutki) and Pseudo Millets such as Buck-wheat (kuttu) and Ameranthus (Chaulai) for 3 years (from 2023) at cost based on the MSP of Ragi, which has increased from Rs. 3846 per quintal in 2023-24 to Rs. 4290 per quintal in 2024-25 and Rs. 4886 per quintal in 2025-26.Annexure I STATE-WISE AREA, PRODUCTION AND PRODUCTIVITY OF MILLETS Area (Thousand Hectare) Production (Thousand Tonnes) Productivity (Kg./Hect.) State 2020- 2021- 2022- 2023- 2024- 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 21 22 23 24 25 Andhra Pradesh 206.00 152.00 133.00 168.54 165.00 540.61 359.15 375.92 428.59 417.89 2624 2363 2826 2543 2533 Arunachal 26.82 27.12 27.46 27.76 # 27.62 28.01 28.45 28.79 # 1030 1033 1036 1037 # Pradesh Assam 4.97 4.82 6.00 8.73 7.00 3.26 3.20 4.79 6.76 5.15 656 664 799 775 735 Bihar 10.38 8.48 7.16 7.28 9.01 10.31 8.51 7.18 7.01 8.78 993 1004 1003 962 974 Chhattisgarh 92.20 56.88 47.52 44.62 40.85 26.24 28.18 23.54 25.94 19.34 285 495 495 581 473 Gujarat 520.26 510.48 551.56 584.65 543.19 1091.97 1179.08 1364.09 1408.90 1348.09 2099 2310 2473 2410 2482 Haryana 600.48 506.49 553.09 546.96 592.31 1366.56 1132.15 1213.97 1171.12 1261.72 2276 2235 2195 2141 2130 Himachal Pradesh 3.53 3.38 3.27 3.00 3.04 3.13 2.49 2.33 2.08 2.24 886 737 712 691 739 Jharkhand 20.77 20.73 17.44 32.92 42.86 17.72 18.07 13.62 31.95 48.11 853 872 781 970 1123 Karnataka 1783.00 1638.00 1527.00 1792.00 1692.00 2569.08 2053.60 2032.60 2161.54 2278.59 1441 1254 1331 1206 1347 Madhya Pradesh 517.00 555.00 605.00 615.00 483.00 1024.13 1181.40 1253.55 1302.01 1145.56 1981 2129 2072 2117 2372 Maharashtra 2885.00 2456.90 2034.50 2271.60 2250.47 2513.82 2305.38 1898.58 2163.74 2558.03 871 938 933 953 1137 Nagaland 10.17 8.67 12.52 18.04 # 11.31 8.22 14.00 19.82 # 1112 948 1118 1099 # Odisha 83.33 101.05 93.05 115.73 71.98 55.16 68.08 76.34 94.83 58.90 662 674 820 819 818 Rajasthan 4914.58 4362.79 5212.45 4801.07 4997.47 5155.67 4279.74 5673.60 4885.68 5395.64 1049 981 1088 1018 1080 Tamil Nadu 580.22 554.61 489.74 495.75 474.71 905.26 765.48 630.22 676.37 766.00 1560 1380 1287 1364 1614 Telangana 102.00 74.00 73.00 114.00 171.56 166.33 122.76 132.40 255.58 305.84 1631 1659 1814 2242 1783 Uttar Pradesh 1093.00 1083.00 1155.00 1348.00 1129.12 2298.20 2225.65 2368.58 2699.53 2158.10 2103 2055 2051 2003 1911 Uttarakhand 138.00 133.00 115.00 109.26 106.00 200.85 200.38 175.77 167.57 154.99 1455 1507 1528 1534 1462 West Bengal 7.05 6.87 5.56 7.21 6.31 6.98 7.74 6.19 6.61 6.05 991 1126 1114 917 959 Others 34.66 24.69 29.16 33.04 78.14 26.34 22.49 25.50 27.20 75.61 760 911 874 823 966 All India 13633.42 12288.96 12698.48 13145.16 12864.02 18020.55 15999.76 17321.22 17571.62 18014.63 1322 1302 1364 1337 1400 Data for the year 2024-25 is as per 3rd Advance Estimate. Source: DA&FW #- Included in OthersAnnexure II State-wise FPOs having millets as primary / secondary crops (as per MIS 05.08.2025) State Name # FPOs with Millets as # FPOs with Millets Primary Crop as Secondary Crop Andhra Pradesh 26 7 Arunachal Pradesh 6 Assam 2 Bihar 4 1 Chhattisgarh 22 3 Gujarat 20 10 Haryana 23 15 Himachal Pradesh 1 Jammu and Kashmir 1 1 Jharkhand 2 2 Karnataka 82 23 Kerala 1 Madhya Pradesh 22 6 Maharashtra 31 8 Odisha 11 5 Rajasthan 67 22 Tamil Nadu 32 3 Telangana 9 3 Tripura 1 Uttar Pradesh 38 25 Uttarakhand 11 9 Total 412 143 Source: SFACAnnexure III State-wise list of millet based agri-Startups State No. of Agri Startups Andhra Pradesh 9 ASSAM 1 Bihar 4 Chhattisgarh 3 Delhi 1 Goa 1 Gujarat 5 Haryana 5 Himachal Pradesh 3 Jharkhand 1 Karnataka 16 Madhya Pradesh 3 Maharashtra 18 New Delhi 1 Odisha 5 Puducherry 1 Punjab 2 Rajasthan 5 Tamil Nadu 15 Telangana 43 Uttar Pradesh 6 Uttarakhand 3 Total 151 Source:DA&FWAnnexure IV EXPORT OF MILLETS FROM INDIA (Qty in Thousand MT and Value in Rs. Crore) Crop 2020-21 2020-21 2021-22 2021-22 2022-23 2022-23 2023-24 2023-24 2024-25 2024-25 Qty Value(INR) Qty Value(INR) Qty Value(INR) Qty Value(INR) Qty Value(INR) Jowar 42.34 130.82 50.47 150.51 47.25 184.50 37.05 153.25 37.93 155.07 Bajra 58.44 131.29 64.47 149.11 81.71 246.68 73.31 229.08 56.00 192.71 Ragi 25.41 56.97 23.26 52.01 21.44 51.99 18.86 64.07 18.56 65.45 Small Millets 1.61 6.92 0.71 3.53 1.10 5.70 3.77 42.13 8.88 89.12 Total 127.80 326.00 138.91 355.17 151.49 488.88 132.99 488.53 121.37 502.35 Source: DGCIS ******