You should know that India is the world’s second-largest producer of diverse agricultural goods before reading about the numerous states recognised for bajra cultivation. This includes, but is not limited to: papaya guava mango banana Bajra (often referred to as millet) is a significant component of the Indian food supply as well.
In the drier regions of the nation, Bajra is the 2nd largest food source. The stalks of the plant are also utilised as a source of protein for cattle.
List of Largest Bajra Producing States In India
We’ve compiled a list of India’s top bajra-producing states. You may use this list to get a sense of how much Indian bajra is available on the market each year. Also check the list of Largest Jowar Producing States in India
1. Rajasthan
The production of millet is more important in Rajasthan than everywhere else. There are several health advantages of eating bajra, which we’ll examine in this post. 2018 had a total output of roughly 3750 tonnes.
Bajra is indeed a crop that can only be produced in places that get 40-50 centimeters of yearly rainfall. In locations with an annual rainfall of more than 100 cm, it is rare to find it. It grows best when kept between 25°C and 30°C. After a little rain, bright sunlight may be quite beneficial in the early stages of the plant’s development.
2. Uttar Pradesh
Bajra cultivation is very popular in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Millet production in India comes second only to other agricultural operations at this location. Among the many additional names for bajra are: Bajri, Sajjalu, Kambam, Sajje, Pearl Millet and many more. Last year, UP produced 1800 tonnes of bajra.
It is cultivated on sandy, red and black clay soils, highland gravely soils, and on low, light sandy soils of all kinds. Crop planting takes place between May and September; harvesting takes place from October to February/March. Cotton, jowar, and ragi may be seeded as a single crop or in combination with ragi. Irrigation is seldom used because it is a crop which is rain-fed.
More than one in five (or 19.39%) of India’s total output was generated by Uttar Pradesh in 2002-03.
More than half of the country’s output originates from the states of Bulandshahar, Etwaha, Ettah, Moradabad, Badaun, Aligarh, and Mathura.
3. Gujarat
920 tonnes of bajra were produced in Gujarat last year. As a scientific fact, people in Gujarat think eating bajra may lower blood sugar levels and help prevent cancer. As a result, the demand for bajra has increased.
4. Madhya Pradesh
When it comes to bajra production, Madhya Pradesh gets a lot of attention. Approximately 760 tonnes of millet were produced last year for the state’s market. A notable advantage of bajra over wheat is that it aids in weight reduction while still providing a significant amount of energy.
5. Haryana
The state of Haryana produced roughly 720 tons of millet, which is a decent figure. The state’s goal is to maintain its current position as the fifth-largest producer of bajra in India and maintain its current ranking.
One of the famous varieties here is Proagro which is created by Proagro Seed Company by hybridization of PSP-21 X PP-23. The cultivar is suggested for cultivation across the pearl millet producing regions of the nation. The plants take 55 days for blooming and mature in 90-95 days.
6. Maharashtra
Maharashtra produced 610 metric tons of bajra last year and is adapting to new ways to improve output even more this year. Bajra is highly sought after in this region due to its reputation for improving cardiovascular health.
The state of Maharashtra is the country’s leading producer of bajra. About 24.74 percent of all the country’s output came from this state in 2002-03.
To produce bajra, Maharashtra’s central plateau is dominated by poor soil and a dry environment. The major producing districts are
Ahmednagar, Jalgaon, Solapur, Aurangabad, Sangli, Pune, Satara, Dhule, and,Nashik. In 2002-03, 9.07 lakh tonnes of bajra was produced in neighbouring Gujarat.
7. Tamil Nadu
Kambu is the Tamil name for Bajra. According to the previous data, the state has the greatest bajra producing crops. The top three Indian states based on bajra output have three more fascinating states to look at.
In Tamil Nadu, Pearl Millet was grown on 58,000 hectares and produced 177,000 metric tonnes in 2014-15.
Cuddalore, Virudhunagar, Thiruvannamalai, Thoothukudi, Villupuram, and Vellore are the districts with the greatest output.
Pearl millet has recently been employed in the alcohol business to produce alcoholic beverages. There are two main varieties are farmed in Viluppuram district: ICMV 221 and Co (Cu) 9.
There are two planting seasons each year: May-June and October-November. As of the end of January, new shipments of pearl millet will begin arriving, and this year’s stored harvest will last until the end of the year.
Low rainfall has reduced the amount of bajra from Vilupuram that has arrived. Imports from Andhra Pradesh help alleviate the state’s shortage of pearl millet.
8. Karnataka
Bajra production thrives in Karnataka as well. It’s quite an accomplishment to attain 290 tons of output this year compared to previous years. Bajra thrives in arid climates, and Karnataka’s soil and climate are ideal for this crop.
During the previous two decades, Karnataka has seen 16 droughts. Planting millets has the benefit of using less water, making it an excellent choice for dry places. Low input costs and superior feed qualities make it an attractive option for livestock producers. Millet processing plants must be encouraged by the government in order to support farmers.
9. Telangana
Additionally, Telangana is one of India’s top ten states for bajra production, and the state has contributed a significant portion of that total. Most farm owners in Telangana state plant Bajra seeds in July since it is the best time to do so.
Because the bajra seeds are so minute, the crop requires a very delicate tilt. In order to ensure good seed distribution and planting at the right depth requires just two or three harrowing and a ploughing.
Once all the grains have been separated, they must be washed, dried in the sun, and then packaged and kept in a moisture-proof storage facility.
Bajra Producing FAQs
Q: Which states in India are major producers of Bajra?
Ans: Bajra is grown in several states across India, but the major Bajra-producing states include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.
Q: What are the climatic conditions required for Bajra cultivation?
Ans: Bajra is a hardy crop that can tolerate hot and dry conditions. It is primarily grown in regions with arid and semi-arid climates. Bajra requires moderate rainfall and grows well in temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C.
Q: When is the Bajra planting season in India?
Ans: The ideal time for Bajra planting varies across different regions of India. In most parts of the country, Bajra is sown during the summer season, typically from April to July, depending on the availability of monsoon rains.
Q: What are the soil requirements for Bajra cultivation?
Ans: Bajra thrives well in sandy loam and well-drained soils. It can tolerate poor soil fertility and is relatively drought-tolerant compared to other crops. However, it is advisable to provide adequate organic matter and nutrients to improve the soil fertility for better yields.
Q: How is Bajra cultivated in India?
Ans: Bajra is usually cultivated by direct sowing the seeds in the field. The seeds are sown at a depth of about 2-3 centimeters and at a spacing of 20-25 centimeters between plants. It requires regular weeding and proper moisture management during the early stages of growth.
Q: What are some common pests and diseases affecting Bajra crops?
Ans: The major pests that affect Bajra crops include shoot fly, stem borer, aphids, and earhead caterpillars. Diseases like downy mildew, rust, and smut can also affect Bajra. Proper pest and disease management practices, including the use of resistant varieties and timely application of pesticides, are essential to control these issues.
Q: When is the harvesting season for Bajra?
Ans: Bajra is typically harvested around 60-90 days after sowing, depending on the variety and growing conditions. The crop is ready for harvesting when the grains turn hard and dry. Harvesting is usually done by cutting the plants at the base and then threshing the harvested crop to separate the grains.
Q: What are the common uses of Bajra?
Ans: Bajra is primarily used as a food grain and is ground into flour to make various traditional Indian dishes like roti (flatbread), bhakri (thick bread), and porridge. It is also used as fodder for livestock in many agricultural areas.
Q: Is Bajra a nutritious crop?
Ans: Yes, Bajra is highly nutritious. It is a good source of energy, protein, dietary fiber, and various micronutrients. It is gluten-free and rich in antioxidants, making it a healthy grain option for people with dietary restrictions or specific health needs.
Santosh Kumar is an editor at unfoldstuffs.com and a professional content writer. With years of experience he is passionate for creating engaging, informative and impactful topics.
