Despite repeated appeals by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote millet consumption and cultivation, farmers in Ghaziabad are cultivating millets on just 15 hectares, far below the target of 100 hectares. While farmers in Muradnagar and Loni blocks are growing millets, those in Rajapur and Bhojpur blocks are showing little interest.

Millets, a Kharif season crop, include sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), kodo millet (kodo), and sago (sabudana). In May, the Agriculture Department provided free seeds to farmers, including 1.20 quintals of sorghum, 2.26 quintals of pearl millet, 7 quintals of finger millet, 4 quintals of kodo millet, and 5 quintals of sago seeds, sufficient for cultivation on around 100 hectares.

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Currently, only six hectares of sorghum, eight hectares of pearl millet, and one hectare of finger millet are being cultivated, while kodo millet and barnyard millet (sawana) cultivation remains negligible. Deputy Director of Agriculture Ram Jatan Mishra cited flood-related damage in Loni as a reason for low production.

He emphasised the health benefits of millets, which are rich in magnesium and fibre, aid development, and improve sleep. Mishra added that increasing market demand for millets would encourage farmers to expand cultivation and that awareness campaigns are underway to promote their consumption.

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