Lok Sabha Question No. 2579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Promotion of Millets
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab, Shri Godam Nagesh, Dr. Nishikant Dubey, Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi, Shri Tapir Gao, Shri Chintamani Maharaj, Shri Jagdambika Pal, Shri Naba Charan Majhi, Shri Avimanyu Sethi, Shri Alok Sharma, Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Anil Firojiya, Shri Praveen Patel, Smt. Mahima Kumari Mewar, Shri Damodar Agrawal, Shri Rajkumar Chahar, Dr. Manna Lal Rawat, Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2579

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 16 TH  DECEMBER, 2025

## PROMOTION OF MILLETS

2579.  SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB: SHRI TAPIR GAO: SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI PRAVEEN PATEL: DR. MANNA LAL RAWAT: SHRI DAMODAR AGRAWAL: SHRI CHINTAMANI MAHARAJ: DR. NISHIKANT DUBEY: SHRI NABA CHARAN MAJHI: SHRI ALOK SHARMA: SMT. MAHIMA KUMARI MEWAR: SHRI AVIMANYU SETHI: SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA: DR. BHOLA SINGH: SHRI GODAM NAGESH: SHRI RAJKUMAR CHAHAR: DR. RAJESH MISHRA: SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  to  promote  the  cultivation,  processing  and consumption of millets in the country;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  quality  seed  production  for  Millets,  certified  seed  distribution, research and extension activities undertaken by ICAR and State Agricultural Universities during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Government  maintains  district-wise  data  on  millet  area,  productivity  and seed availability, including in Bulandshahr district of Uttar Pradesh;
- (d) the programmes being implemented to support farmers adopting climate-resilient millet varieties;
- (e) the steps taken to expand value-addition, FPO support and market linkages for millet growers to enhance farm incomes nationwide; and
- (f)  the  details  of  the  research  and  extension  activities  carried  out  by  the  Government  for promotion of Millets in the country, State-wise including Rajasthan?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a) to (f): To promote millet cultivation, processing 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.

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.

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.

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  the  28  States  including  Uttar Pradesh & Rajasthan and 2 Union Territories (UTs).

Under NFSNM, assistance is being provided to the farmers, through the States/UTs, for demonstration on crop production & protection technologies, for distribution of certified seeds,  for  production  of  certified  seeds  (nutri-cereals),  for  Integrated  Nutrient  and  Pest Management measures,  for  capacity  building  of  farmers  through  cropping  system-based trainings etc.; and seed minikits of newly released varieties/hybrids (nutri-cereals), are also distributed  through  the  states  by  agencies.  The  mission  also  provides  support  to  Indian Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  &  State  Agricultural  Universities  (SAUs)/Krishi Vigyan  Kendras  (KVKs)  for  technology  back  stopping  and  transfer  of  technology  to  the farmer under supervision of Subject Matter Specialists/Scientists.

Latest climate-resilient varieties  or  hybrids  that  are  resistant  to  insects,  pests,  and diseases, as well as short and medium duration that outperform existing prominent varieties are promoted under NFSNM.

Flexibility  has  been  given  to  States/UTs  to  identify  districts  for  implementation  of different  components of the Mission, subject to inter alia conditions that prioritize districts with low productivity but high potential.

The area, production and productivity of nutri-cereals (millets) of the districts of Uttar Pradesh,  including  in  Bulandshahr  is  Annexed . The  allocation  (central  and  state  share) under NFSNM-Shree Anna for the States of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh during 2025-26 is Rs. 11729.80 lakhs and Rs. 5499.50 lakhs, respectively.

In recent years, 110 Millets varieties have been released by Central Variety Release Committee (CVRC) comprising 34 of Sorghum, 24 of Pearl Millet; 10 of Little Millet, 6 of Proso Millet, 5 of Barnyard Millet, 4 of Kodo Millet, 8 of Foxtail Millet, 17 of Finger Millet and 2 of Brown Top Millet for cultivation in different agro-ecologies of country. Besides, a total of 2588 Qtl. of Breeder seeds of various millets have been produced during last 3 year (202225) against the indent of 1290 quintals for further seed multiplication. A total of 40 millet varieties comprising 9 of Sorghum, 13 of Pearl Millet, 3 of Little Millet, 5 of Kodo Millet, 1 of Barnyard Millet, 1 of Foxtail Millet and 8 of Finger Millet have been developed and released during 2014-25 for cultivation on farmers field under drought/moisture stress tolerant/water stress/ low rainfall areas.

The  Government  of  India  has  recognized  the  ICAR-Indian  Institute  of  Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad as 'Global Centre of Excellence on Millets'. To strengthen the research collaboration and public awareness of millets globally, a new initiative viz., 'Millets And  otHer  Ancient  GRains  International  ReSearcH  Initiative  (MAHARISHI)  has  been adopted since the G20 Presidency.

The  Ministry  of  Food  Processing  Industries  (MoFPI)  has  launched  the  Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP), for the period from 2022-23 to 2026-27 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 ecatalogues.  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.

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.

Annexure Area, production and productivity of nutri-cereals (millets) of the districts of

## Uttar Pradesh, including in Bulandshahr.

|   S.No. | Districts           |   Area (ha) 2023-24 |   Production (tonnes) 2023-24 |   Yield (kg/ha) 2023-24 |
|---------|---------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|
|       1 | Agra                |           124830    |                     322880    |                    2587 |
|       2 | Aligarh             |            85439.1  |                     223375    |                    2614 |
|       3 | Ambedkar Nagar      |             1380.15 |                       2206.68 |                    1599 |
|       4 | Amethi              |             7679    |                      12498.7  |                    1628 |
|       5 | Amroha              |             3624.51 |                       4446.32 |                    1227 |
|       6 | Auraiya             |            36539.4  |                      89315.3  |                    2444 |
|       7 | Ayodhya             |             3231.23 |                       5151.55 |                    1594 |
|       8 | Azamgarh            |              174.91 |                        351.42 |                    2009 |
|       9 | Baghpat             |              658.07 |                       1419.5  |                    2157 |
|      10 | Bahraich            |               81.88 |                        144.16 |                    1761 |
|      11 | Ballia              |             3932.23 |                       7422.31 |                    1888 |
|      12 | Balrampur           |                4.99 |                          7.98 |                    1600 |
|      13 | Banda               |            46463.3  |                      77317.9  |                    1664 |
|      14 | Barabanki           |             3186.58 |                       5423.17 |                    1702 |
|      15 | Bareilly            |            14183.7  |                      26772.6  |                    1888 |
|      16 | Basti               |               26.79 |                         23.74 |                     886 |
|      17 | Bhadohi             |            12368.5  |                      18346.5  |                    1483 |
|      18 | Budaun              |           108235    |                     187098    |                    1729 |
|      19 | Bulandshahr         |            13737.6  |                      30897.1  |                    2249 |
|      20 | Chandauli           |             8771.16 |                      10709.9  |                    1221 |
|      21 | Chitrakoot          |            46329.9  |                      62169    |                    1342 |
|      22 | Deoria              |              298.51 |                        540.14 |                    1809 |
|      23 | Etah                |            49417    |                     123106    |                    2491 |
|      24 | Etawah              |            42223.6  |                     124988    |                    2960 |
|      25 | Farrukhabad         |            10185.6  |                      16846.6  |                    1654 |
|      26 | Fatehpur            |            25651.5  |                      32217.3  |                    1256 |
|      27 | Firozabad           |            80704.2  |                     221201    |                    2741 |
|      28 | Gautam Buddha Nagar |             3170.45 |                       5658.03 |                    1785 |
|      29 | Ghaziabad           |              277.04 |                        600.21 |                    2167 |
|      30 | Ghazipur            |            20543    |                      23314.7  |                    1135 |
|      31 | Gorakhpur           |               70.61 |                         85.54 |                    1211 |
|      32 | Hamirpur            |            11369    |                      21303.6  |                    1874 |
|      33 | Hapur               |                3    |                          6.5  |                    2167 |
|      34 | Hardoi              |            10457.4  |                      17946.8  |                    1716 |
|      35 | Hathras             |            49514    |                     132018    |                    2666 |
|      36 | Jalaun              |            42559.8  |                      72031.5  |                    1692 |
|      37 | Jaunpur             |            11526.1  |                      13257.6  |                    1150 |
|      38 | Jhansi              |             2332.12 |                       4406.6  |                    1890 |
|      39 | Kannauj             |             5372.2  |                      10753.4  |                    2002 |
|      40 | Kanpur Dehat        |            42031.6  |                      86752.8  |                    2064 |
|      41 | Kanpur Nagar        |            27122.9  |                      48002.1  |                    1770 |
|      42 | Kasganj             |            43267    |                     101531    |                    2347 |

|   S.No. | Districts         |   Area (ha) 2023-24 |   Production (tonnes) 2023-24 |   Yield (kg/ha) 2023-24 |
|---------|-------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|-------------------------|
|      43 | Kaushambi         |            21984.4  |                      23575.7  |                    1072 |
|      44 | Kheri             |              641.77 |                       1141.76 |                    1779 |
|      45 | Kushi Nagar       |              112.02 |                        243.36 |                    2173 |
|      46 | Lucknow           |             2973.66 |                       4458    |                    1499 |
|      47 | Mahoba            |             8960.47 |                      14671.8  |                    1637 |
|      48 | Mainpuri          |            19956.8  |                      53765.4  |                    2694 |
|      49 | Mathura           |            45049.2  |                     111450    |                    2474 |
|      50 | Mau               |             1928.23 |                       4177.13 |                    2166 |
|      51 | Meerut            |               29    |                         62.84 |                    2167 |
|      52 | Mirzapur          |            21321.6  |                      35834    |                    1681 |
|      53 | Moradabad         |             3618.32 |                       4781.23 |                    1321 |
|      54 | Pilibhit          |                1    |                          1.72 |                    1725 |
|      55 | Pratapgarh        |            17430.2  |                      12869.2  |                     738 |
|      56 | Prayagraj         |            38996.3  |                      29255.6  |                     750 |
|      57 | Rae Bareli        |             9408.32 |                      17352.8  |                    1844 |
|      58 | Rampur            |             4250.51 |                       6237.89 |                    1468 |
|      59 | Saharanpur        |                2    |                          4.35 |                    2173 |
|      60 | Sambhal           |            77818.3  |                     136566    |                    1755 |
|      61 | Sant Kabeer Nagar |               99.9  |                        197.88 |                    1981 |
|      62 | Shahjahanpur      |             5442.83 |                       6958.29 |                    1278 |
|      63 | Shravasti         |               40.01 |                         86.91 |                    2173 |
|      64 | Siddharth Nagar   |               19.96 |                         31.93 |                    1600 |
|      65 | Sitapur           |             8867.35 |                      13612.8  |                    1535 |
|      66 | Sonbhadra         |            10214.4  |                      12117.1  |                    1186 |
|      67 | Sultanpur         |            10621.9  |                      16999    |                    1600 |
|      68 | Unnao             |             5894.83 |                       9267.08 |                    1572 |
|      69 | Varanasi          |            11341.8  |                      20788    |                    1833 |

Source: UPAg

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