Dehradun: To encourage the production of coarse cereals like Mandua (Finger Millet) and Jhangora (Indian Barnyard Millet), the state government is likely to introduce a millet policy in the new financial year. The proposed millet policy has been discussed in the finance and planning department. The authorities concerned are giving final touch to the draft of the proposed millet policy. The final draft of the proposed millet policy will be put up before the state cabinet.
The government may implement the millet policy in the new financial year. The government aims to increase the area of coarse cereals and subsequent process for its collection from the farmers. In this regard, many provisions have been included in the proposed millet policy.
Special focus to set processing units at block level
The incentive amount, which is given to women’ self help groups for the collection of coarse cereals, may be doubled. There is also special focus to set up processing units at block and cluster level. After getting clearance from the state cabinet, millet policy will be implemented in the state’s 68 blocks.
Traditional farming of the coarse cereals in Uttarakhand
In Uttarakhand, other cereal grains, including Mandua and Jhangora, are grown traditionally. However, the problem of migration from the hill areas and wildlife damaging the crops badly affected the production of coarse cereals in the hill areas. Earlier, the United Nations, at the behest of the Government of India, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets with an aim to create awareness and increase production and consumption of millets.
The declaration of 2023 as international year of millet prompted Uttarakhand to focus on millets
Keeping in mind the growing demand of the coarse cereals in the market, the Uttarakhand government also started giving special focus to promote cultivation of coarse cereals, including millets. The government also launched its state mission millets to promote cultivation and consumption of coarse cereals in the hill state. The government’s efforts to promote coarse cereals yielded positive results.
State faces a challenge to increase cultivation area of Mandua and Jhangora
However, the government continues to face the challenges of increasing the areas of the cultivation of Mandua and Jhangora in the hill parts. Mandua is currently an area of 68,806 hectares in the state. To increase the area of the cultivation of Mandua, the government may take 24 blocks in the first phase and 44 blocks in the second phase. Farmers will also be given subsidies to ensure the timely availability of the seeds.
