Parliament Question: Production of Nutritious Millets

O.I.H. GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4139 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17TH March, 2026 PRODUCTION OF NUTRITIOUS MILLETS †4139. DR. RAJESH MISHRA: Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is aware of the large-scale production of nutritious millets like Kodo and Kutki in the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency; (b) the steps proposed by the Government to provide better seeds and technology to the farmers of this region through the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR); (c) whether there is any plan to establish a processing unit in Sidhi under the Millets Mission; (d) the details of millet production in the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency during the last three years; and (e) the details of the schemes being proposed to be implemented by the Government to increase the production of millets? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी (SHRI BHAGIRATH CHOUDHARY) (a) to (e): The Government is implementing the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM)-Shree Anna to promote production and productivity of nutritious millets including millets of regional significance such as Kodo and Kutki in regions like Sidhi in Madhya Pradesh. Further, ICAR- Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad is providing comprehensive support for the dissemination of high-yielding varieties and improved production technologies across the country. The All India Coordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) on Sorghum and Small Millets facilitates the production of breeder seeds against the demand/indent from all regions of the country. To improve the timely availability of quality millet seeds, the ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad coordinated the established Millet Seed Hubs at Rewa (near Sidhi district) and Dindori under Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwa Vidyalaya (JNKVV). These hubs focus on quality seed production to ensure farmers have access to newly developed, high-yielding varieties. ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad also supported the establishment of a millets-based FPO at Dindori, assisting farmers with seed distribution, primary processing technologies, and market linkages to enhance their profitability.The State Government of Madhya Pradesh has reported that under the Madhya Pradesh state millet mission there is no such provision to establish a processing unit for millets. The details of production of Millets (Kodo - Kutki) in the Sidhi Parliamentary Constituency as reported by the Directorate, Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development, Madhya Pradesh, during three years from 2023-24 to 2025-26 is given below: (Production in Metric Tonnes) 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 7739.80 9132.15 10229.76 The Government’s focus is primarily on enhancing food security and nutrition through nutritious crops like millets and NFSNM is being implemented to increase the production and productivity of millets (Shree Anna) in the country. Under NFSNM-Shree Anna, assistance is being provided to the farmers, through the States/UTs, on Crop production and protection technologies & cropping system-based demonstrations, for production and distribution of certified seeds etc. Flexibility under the scheme is given to the implementing States / UTs to identify districts, subject to inter alia conditions that prioritize districts with low productivity but high potential. States have also been given flexibility to promote millets under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Detailed Project Report (RKVY - DPR) projects as per state-specific needs and priorities. ******