Lok Sabha Question No. 4139 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-17
Subject: Production of Nutritious Millets
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra

## 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 17 TH  March, 2026

## PRODUCTION OF NUTRITIOUS MILLETS

†4139. DR. RAJESH MISHRA:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी 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 क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛमंũी (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,  ICARIndian 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 |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|    7739.8 |   9132.15 |   10229.8 |

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.

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