Millets
Features of Millets :
- Millets are important crops in the semiarid tropics of Asia and Africa with 97% of millet production in developing countries.
Climatic conditions :
- Generally the Millets are grown in tropical as well as sub-tropical upto an altitude of 2,100m.
- The minimum temperature required is 8-10°C. A mean temperature range of 26-29°C during the growth is best for proper development and good crop yield.
- These are grown where rainfall ranges from 500-900mm.
- Millet has wide adaptability to different soil from very poor to very fertile and can tolerate a certain degree of alkalinity. The best soils are alluvial, loamy and sandy soil with good drainage.
- Various types of Millets are : pearl millet, finger millet, foxtail millet, sorghum or great millet, kodo.
Various types of millets :
- This crop is favoured due to its productivity and short growing season under dry, high-temperature conditions.
- They are nutritious with high amounts of fiber, both soluble and insoluble.
- They can easily withstand harsh climatic conditions which can aid food security in current rising temperatures scenario.
- They help to fight the desertification of the land.
India map showing distribution of various millets.
Syllabus : prelims; Geography- crops.
