Shivaji College, University of Delhi

Accredited by NAAC with “A” Grade

Session: 2022-23

THE MILLET REVOLUTION IN INDIA:

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS

by

Deepanshu Dabas

A Research Paper

Submitted to Prof. Bharat Ratnu, Department of Geography, Shivaji College

In Partial-Fulfillment of the Requirements

For Bachelor of Arts, Geography & Political Science

(Fourth Semester Assessment)

April 2023
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 1

1. Abstract

The millet revolution in India has gained considerable attention in recent years due to its

potential to transform the country's agricultural landscape. While millets have been traditionally

grown in India for centuries, the current focus on millets is driven by the need to address

environmental and health concerns related to conventional monoculture crops. This paper

examines the potential benefits of the "millet revolution" in India, which involves a shift towards

millet-based agriculture as a sustainable and resilient alternative to traditional rice and wheat

crops. Through a comparative analysis of past and present agricultural practices, this study

assesses the environmental impacts of millet cultivation and highlights the potential benefits of

transitioning to millets. Additionally, the current state and scope of millet cultivation in India are

explored, and alternative approaches to incorporating millets into the food system are proposed,

taking into account food security and sustainability concerns. The paper also proposes tangible

solutions to support and expand millet cultivation.

Keywords: Millets, Environment, Green Revolution, Rice–Wheat Cropping Systems (RWCS),

Groundwater, Greenhouse Gas (GHG)

2. Introduction

Millets are the staple crops adapted to dry land agro-ecologies of the arid and semi-arid tropics.

In India, millets were traditionally consumed, but due to the push given to food security through

the Green Revolution in the 1960s, millets were rendered as ‘orphan crops’ – less consumed and

almost forgotten. Before the Green Revolution, millets made up around 40% of all cultivated

grains, which has dropped to around 20% over the years.

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 2

The potential for millet production in India is significant due to several factors. Firstly, millets

have a high level of resilience to climate change and are well adapted to grow in diverse

agro-ecological zones. Secondly, millets have several nutritional benefits and are rich in dietary

fiber, protein, and micronutrients. Thirdly, the increasing demand for gluten-free and

low-glycemic index foods in the global market offers opportunities for millet-based products.

Finally, millets require less water and fertilizer inputs compared to other major crops, making

them a sustainable and environmentally friendly choice for farmers. While there are many

benefits associated with millet production, the main focus of this paper will be on its

environmental benefits.

3. Significance

Intensive agriculture in the post-green revolution era has led to immense ecological damage.

Cropping intensification with a select few crops and high-input chemical agriculture is fast

degrading the land and depleting water resources besides environmental deterioration. Added to

this is the looming threat of changing climate that may adversely affect crop productivity and

quality. Under these circumstances, millets, the ‘climate-resilient nutri-cereals’, hold great

promise for sustainable use of available land, water, and environmental resources. Due to these

benefits, Millets are often termed as the ‘miracle grains’ or ‘crops of the future’.

4. Objectives

i. To assess and compare the environmental impacts of millet cultivation in India with the

past and present trends of agricultural practices, in order to identify the potential benefits

of a shift towards millet-based agriculture.

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 3

ii. To examine the current state and scope of millet cultivation in the Indian agriculture

sector, and to explore the potential of millets as a sustainable and resilient crop in the face

of climate change.

iii. To explore alternative approaches to incorporating millets into the food system as a

healthy and nutritious alternative to rice and wheat, in order to enhance food security and

promote sustainable agriculture practices. Also, to propose tangible solutions to support

and expand millet cultivation in the region.

5. Methodology & Database

This research paper employs a mixed approach methodology, combining the best of both

qualitative and quantitative methodologies to integrate perspectives and create a holistic picture

of the current agriculture scenario and how the large-scale introduction of millets will fit into a

more sustainable agriculture system.

Multiple data collection sources were used, although most of them remained secondary sources

obtained from government journals and websites. To ensure that the latest data was used,

emphasis was placed on sourcing the most up-to-date information available. To ensure ethical

considerations, proper citation and acknowledgment of the sources used will be included in the

research paper.

6. Analysis

In the 1960s and 1970s, the Green Revolution introduced high-yielding wheat varieties and

promoted their cultivation through government policies and subsidies. This led to a significant

increase in wheat production, from 11.2 million metric tons in 1960-61 to 93.5 million metric
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 4

tons in 2020-21. Meanwhile, millet production declined from 9.9 million metric tons in 1960-61

to 2.6 million metric tons in 2020-21. This declining trend is also illustrated in Figure i. Millets,

which were once a major staple in India, were seen as inferior to wheat and were often relegated

to "poor man's food." As a result, wheat overtook millet as India's staple food, particularly in

urban areas.

Fig. i- Declining Production of Millets in Comparison to Rice and Wheat from 1956-2006
Source: “Millets: Future of Food & Farming” report by Deccan Development Society

Though the Green Revolution was a great success in securing food security for the rapidly

increasing population, its long-term bad environmental repercussions are becoming apparent as

the years pass by. The Rice-Wheat monoculture system that was introduced under the Green

Revolution is turning out to be disastrous for soil health, groundwater levels, greenhouse gas

emissions, and the overall agriculture sustainability. All these points will be discussed in depth

further in the paper.

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 5

The Rice-Wheat system is highly sensitive to changing weather patterns which creates numerous

challenges for formers most important being declining financial security. The unpredictable

climate patterns have led to crop failures and decreased yields. This has left many farmers

struggling to make ends meet and has contributed to a rise in farmer suicides. A

DownToEarth.org article (dated 30th August 2022) states:

“Some 5,563 agricultural labourers died by suicide in 2021, according to the latest

report of the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The number of suicides increased by nine

percent from 2020 and by around 29 percent from 2019.”

These figures illustrate the dire situation that many farmers in India are facing and highlight the

reality that farming as a job is becoming less and less lucrative and people engaged in agriculture

are continuously looking for opportunities to shift to secondary and tertiary sectors.

6.1 Current Scenario of Millets: A Macro View

India is the largest producer of millets in the world. India’s two varieties of millets namely Pearl

Millet (Bajra) and Sorghum (Jowar) together contribute approx. 19 per cent in world production

in 2020. India’s Pearl Millet production accounts for 40.51 per cent followed by Sorghum 8.09

per cent in the world production of Millets in 2020. The major millets producing states in India

are Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil

Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Currently, together these ten states account for around

98 per cent in Millets production in India during the period 2020-21. Multiple varieties of millets

are produced in India such as Pearl Millets, Sorghum, Finger Millet, Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard,

Proso, Little Millet and Pseudo Millets like Buckwheat and Amaranths. Pearl millet (Bajra),
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 6

Sorghum (Jowar) and Finger Millet (Ragi) constitute the largest share in India’s total production

of millets.

Fig. ii- State wise Millet Production: 2021-22 Fig. iii- Country wise Millet Production: 2020
Source: apeda.gov.in ; Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India

6.2 Environmental Problems with current Rice-Wheat Cropping System:

Groundwater Depletion GreenHouse Gas Emission Deteriorating Soil Health

6.2.1 Groundwater Depletion

According to the World Bank report dated March, 2021:

“Groundwater in India is a critical resource. More than 60% of irrigated agriculture

land is dependent on groundwater. However, an increasing number of aquifers are reaching

unsustainable levels of exploitation. If current trends continue, in 20 years about 60% of all

India’s aquifers will be in a critical condition. This will have serious implications for the

sustainability of agriculture, long-term food security, livelihoods, and economic growth.”

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 7

Fig. iv- Increase in ground water utilization Fig. v- Tubewells increasingly being the
for irrigation main source of irrigation
Source: Agricultural Statistics at Glance 2014, Ministry of Agriculture; PRS

The ‘Stage of Ground Water Extraction’ or ‘the level of ground water development’, surveyed by

the Central Ground Water Board- CGWB (Ministry of Water Resources) is a great tool to assess

the groundwater situation in India. The ‘Stage of Ground Water Extraction’ is expressed as the

ratio of ‘Annual Ground Water Extraction’ with respect to ‘Annual Extractable Ground Water

Resource’ and is usually expressed in percentage.

Existing Gross GW Extraction for all Uses

Stage of Ground Water Extraction = x 100
Annual Extractable GW Resource

Based on the Stage of Ground Water extraction, the assessment units are categorized as:

≤ 70% Safe

> 70% and ≤90% Semi-critical COLOR

> 90% and ≤100% Critical COLOR

> 100% Over Exploited COLOR

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 8

According to the CGWE 2011 survey, the level of ground water development stands at an

over-exploited state, where ground water development is more than 100%. For instance, 172% in

Punjab, 137% in Rajasthan, 137% in Delhi, 133% in haryana. This implies that in these states,

the annual ground water consumption is more than annual groundwater recharge. Following map

provides a visual representation of ground water resources scenario of the country in 2017:

(Fig. vi)
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 9

6.2.2 Green-house Gas Emission

The intensified rice and wheat cropping systems consume most of the fertilizer and irrigation

water in India and are major sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. According to a

research [1]: “Indian rice fields covering 42.21 million ha (Mha) emitted 2.07, 0.02, and 72.9 Tg

of CH4-C, N2O-N and CO2-C, respectively, with a global warming potential (GWP) of 88.5 Tg

CO2-C eq. “

According to estimates, rice cultivation is responsible for around 10% of global methane

emissions. Wheat cultivation, on the other hand, is a significant source of nitrous oxide

emissions, which is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential around 300 times

higher than that of carbon dioxide. Following diagrams shows total GHG contribution of plant

based foods:

Fig. vii ; Source: www.dailymail.co.uk

[1] Greenhouse gas emission from rice- and wheat-growing areas in India: spatial analysis and

upscaling by Arti Bhatia, P.K. Aggarwal, Niveta Jain, H. Pathak

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 10

Fig. viii ; Source: www.economist.com

Apart from this, RWCS also leads to indirect GHG emissions in Gangetic plain area in the form

of agricultural residues burning. It emits a significant quantity of air pollutants like CO2, N2O,

CH4. As farmers in Punjab and Haryana regions prepare their fields for sowing Rabi crops,

burning of paddy stubble is the quickest and most convenient method used by most. This makes

cities like Delhi NCR, Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi, etc. amongst the top most polluted cities on the

Earth for 3-4 winter months.

6.2.3 Deteriorating Soil Health

The RWCS mono-cropping, combined with the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, has

depleted the soil of its nutrients and organic matter, leading to reduced soil fertility and

productivity. Here, millets provides better alternatives due to following reasons:

● Millets grow on the poorest of soils. Proso millet, Kodo millet, Barnyard millet can be

grown on low fertility soils. Some in acidic soils, some on saline soils. Millets such as

Pearl millet can also be grown on sandy soils, as is done in Rajasthan. In fact, finger
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 11

millet grows well in saline soils. Barnyard millet too thrives in problem soils, where other

crops like rice, struggle to grow in such soils. Many of them are also grown to reclaim

soils.

● Millets do not demand chemical fertilizers. In fact, under dryland conditions, millets

grow better in the absence of chemical fertilizers. Therefore, most millet farmers grow

them using farmyard manure under purely eco friendly conditions.

● Millets are pest free crops. Growing traditional local landraces and under ecological

conditions, most millets such as foxtail are totally pest free and hence do not need any

pesticides. Even in storage conditions, most millets such as foxtail not only do not need

any fumigants, but act as anti pest agents to store delicate pulses such as green gram.

Other climate resilient traits of millets:

Types of Millets Climate Resilience Characteristics

Highly resilient to heat and drought, come up in very poor soils, but
Pearl millet
responsive to high input management

Drought tolerant, excellent recovery mechanism from stresses, highly

Sorghum adapted to wide range of soils, altitudes and temperatures, responsive to

high input management

Moderately resistant to heat, drought and humidity, adapted to wide

Finger millet
altitude range

Foxtail millet Adapted to low rainfall, high altitude

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 12

Long duration, but very hardy, needs little rainfall, comes up in very poor
Kodo millet
soils, good response to improved management

Barnyard millet Very short duration, not limited by moisture, high altitude adapted

Adapted to low rainfall and poor soils- famine food; withstand

Little millet
waterlogging to some extent

Proso millet Short duration, low rainfall, high altitude adapted

Shorter duration, Adapted to poorly fertile sandy and stony soils, low
Fonio
rainfall

Short duration, drought and flood tolerant, high altitude adapted, fit in
Tef
diverse cropping systems

Brown top millet Short duration, adapted to poor soils with less rainfall

7. Discussion

Millets are called eco friendly crops due to their lower requirement of water, chemicals and

management interventions for raising the crops. Besides, some millets can come up in marginal

lands and harsh weather conditions where no other crop can grow. However, despite all the

benefits, government incentivisation will be the prime catalyst in bringing thye Millet revolution

to reality. Minimum Support Price (MSP) given by the government to farmers, protects farmers

from the unwarranted fluctuation in prices provoked by the international level price variations. In

the past few years, MSPs for Millets have been consistently rising as shown in the table below:

(PTO)
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 13

MSP of Millets over the Years

Variety 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-21

Jawar 1625 1700 2430 2550 2620

Jawar 1650 1725 2450 2570 2640

Bajra 1330 1425 1950 2000 2150

Ragi 1725 1900 2897 3150 3295

Source: https://farmer.gov.in/mspstatements.aspx

Fig. ix- MSP rise in Graphical Form

An article titled, “Tasks for India’s Millet

Revolution” (Source: The Hindu, 31st January

2023) by Madhura Swaminathan states:

“Though there have been significant

improvements in incomes from millet farming,

there's a long way to go. Increasing the

production of millets requires multiple

The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 14

interventions including scientific inputs, institutional mechanisms, and financial support.

Small farmers in hilly regions and dryland plains are going to cultivate millets only if it

gives them good returns. Adequate public support can make millet cultivation

profitable.”

8. Suggestions

i. Millets are water-saving, drought-tolerant crops. Therefore, they must be viewed as

climate change-compliant crops. This quality makes them India's food and farming

future. This is the perspective from which millet cultivation and its promotion must be

regarded. Every millet farmer in India must be given a climate change bonus (in form

of MSP), biodiversity bonus, and water conservation bonus.

ii. The urgent and immediate need is to put millets into the Public Distribution System

(PDS). Different parts of India grow diverse kinds of millets. The Indian PDS system will

be enriched with the high nutritive quality of these millets if they are included in it.

Millets can also be incorporated in mid-day meal program.

iii. Millet farms are intrinsically biodiverse. Therefore, farming system development should

become the aim and not single crop development. The monitoring, evaluation, and

research on millet cultivation must be tailored to this special quality of millet farming

system. Policy-makers must take note of the fact that millets make way for dynamic

diversity on farmers' fields. To avoide monoculture, interfarming must be promoted by

the government.

iv. Millets can be cultivated without using groundwater or surface irrigation. Their energy

requirement from sources such as chemical fertilizers, pesticides, water, and power can
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 15

be near zero. This amazing capacity of this production system must be honored through

offering socio-ecological bonus to millet-growing farmers. Appropriate institutional

mechanisms must be developed to assess this.

v. Look for ways of value addition.

All these actions, together will open up new markets for millet farmers and revitalize them.

9. Conclusion

In conclusion, millets have significant potential to address some of India's most pressing

challenges, including climate change, malnutrition, and agricultural sustainability. By

recognizing and supporting the unique qualities of millet farming systems, policymakers can

promote a more resilient and diverse agricultural sector that benefits farmers, consumers, and the

environment. In particular, expanding millet cultivation, increasing MSP, integrating millets into

the Public Distribution System, and the right institutional mechanisms can contribute to a more

sustainable and equitable food and farming future for India. After analyzing the environmental

aspects of the millet revolution in India, it is evident that-

“Millets were the first crop, and millets will be the future crop.”

*****
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 16

References

● Diwekar, Rujuta. “Yojana Magazine - Journal Content.” Publication Division, Ministry of

Information & Broadcasting,Government of India, Jan. 2023,

https://www.publicationsdivision.nic.in/journals/index.php?route=page/journalscontent&j

ournal_content_id=51

● Indian Millets.

https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/Production.html#:~:text=The%20major%20millets%20p

roducing%20states,during%20the%20period%202020%2D21 Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

● “INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS: INDIA LEADING THE WAY.” Press

Information Bureau, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, 26 Dec. 2022,

https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2022/dec/doc202212261

47401.pdf (RU-16-01-0158-261222/EXPLAINER)

● “International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023.” Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

, 19 Apr. 2022, https://agricoop.nic.in/Documents/Crops_0.pdf

● “Knowledge Paper on: Millets , The Super Food for India.” Associated Chambers of

Commerce & Industry of India, June 2022,

https://www.assocham.org/uploads/files/Report_Millets%202022%20(Print%20Version)

%20(1).pdf

● “Millets: Future of Food and Farming.” Millet Network of India: MINI, Deccan

Development Society, 2015,

https://milletindia.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Milletsfutureoffoodandfarming.pdf
The Millet Revolution in India by Deepanshu Dabas 17

● Swaminathan, Madhura. “Tasks for India’s Millet Revolution - The Hindu.” The Hindu :

Breaking News, India News, Sports News and Live Updates, The Hindu, 30 Jan. 2023,

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/lead/tasks-for-indias-millet-revolution/article6645092

2.ece

● “The Story of Millets.” Indian Institute of Millets Research, Karnataka State Department

of Agriculture, Bengaluru, India , 2018,

https://www.millets.res.in/pub/2018/The_Story_of_Millets.pdf

MAPs:

● https://cgwb.gov.in/MAP/DTW%20JAN%202020.jpg

● https://www.statista.com/statistics/1097524/water-stress-levels-by-country/

● https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-16-0676-2_2