Agri Experts Encourage Millet Cultivation in Jharkhand's Kharif Season

Amidst the bountiful rainfall brought by the monsoon season in Jharkhand, agricultural experts are urging farmers to consider cultivating millets during this kharif season in order to maximize their income.

Following a week of widespread rainfall, the monsoon rainfall deficit in Jharkhand has significantly decreased from 87 percent on June 19, when the monsoon first arrived in the state, to 43 percent as of Friday. This change in weather conditions has provided a favorable environment for agricultural activities.

Vice Chancellor Onkar Nath Singh of Birsa Agricultural University (BAU) in Ranchi released a statement advising farmers to swiftly proceed with sowing millets such as ragi, gundli, bajra, and other kharif crops like maize, pulses, and soybeans within the next three to four days.

Singh emphasized the importance of taking advantage of the current favorable conditions for cultivating millets, as there is a growing demand for them both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, the central and Jharkhand governments are actively promoting millet cultivation.

Singh highlighted the significance of the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets, which is being celebrated worldwide. He urged the farmers of Jharkhand to prioritize the advanced cultivation of millets in order to reap maximum benefits.

The favorable characteristic of "tand" (upper) land, which is suitable for millet cultivation due to the absence of waterlogging, was also emphasized.