An Overview of Millets Production in India: Growth and Instability

Abstract

The study investigates the growth and instability in area, production and productivity of major and minor millets in the World and India. Global millet production is predominantly in Asia, and India being the top producer of millets. Examination of compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of global millets production during 2000-2021 showed that area declined by 0.69 per cent, production increased by 0.48 per cent and productivity by 1.18 per cent. In India, millet farming witnessed a decline in cultivated area with CAGR of 1.92 per cent while productivity showed increasing growth rates by 0.77 per cent and 2.75 per cent respectively for the period 2000-2021. The improvement in productivity of millets is attributed to varietal improvement and ability of millets to withstand abiotic and biotic stress. Instability index used to assess variability in millet area, production and productivity both at the global and national level for the period 2000-2021 showed low instability. The increase in adoption of improved millet varieties which are drought resistant, adoption of sustainable agronomic practices were the factors attributed to low instability.