Despite Rs 800 Cr Scheme, Jammu Kashmir Has Limited Presence in Millet Sector, Data Reveals

SRINAGAR: Despite India emerging as the world’s largest millet producer, Jammu and Kashmir has only marginally benefited from the ongoing millet revolution, according to data tabled by the Union Agriculture Ministry in the Lok Sabha.

As per the government’s response to a starred question on millet cultivation and production, only two Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Jammu and Kashmir are currently associated with millet crops — one as a primary crop and one as a secondary crop. This is among the lowest in the country, with neighbouring states like Haryana (38 FPOs) and Rajasthan (89 FPOs) showing stronger integration into the millet value chain.

Jammu and Kashmir has no millet-focused agri-startups listed under the Government’s Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Development programme, despite 151 such startups being supported across India, with a heavy presence in states like Telangana (43) and Maharashtra (18).

Millets, recognised globally for their climate-resilience and nutritional value, received a major policy push following the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations at India’s initiative.

India currently accounts for 38.4 per cent of global millet production, with a record 180.15 lakh tonnes produced in 2024–25, up by 4.43 lakh tonnes from the previous year.

To promote the millet ecosystem, the Centre has launched the Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet-Based Products (PLISMBP) with a Rs 800 crore outlay, alongside initiatives to incentivise startups, food processors and exporters. (KNO)