Name the important states in India that are leading producer in Jowar, Ragi and Bajra

India is a country of rich cultural and historical heritage. Due to its vast coastline, it became a prominent place for trade. But even though trade is an important part of the economy but agriculture is considered the backbone of the country. India is the largest producer of a wide range of fruits and vegetables. India is the second largest producer of wheat and rice. India is the second largest producer of dry fruits, many agricultural textile raw materials, pulses etc.  

Jowar

Jowar is known as Sorghum in English but is now becoming famous as the ” new quinoa” due to its gluten-free nature and whole-grain health benefits. It is one of the few staple foods in India. It can be grown as both Kharif and a Rabi crop. Across the complete country, it is known by various other names like Jonna, Cholam etc. It is used in various food products by making into flour like Rotis, bhakri Cheela, dosa etc. It is a very proud member of the millet family. In recent days, it is gaining wide popularity due to its health benefits and new trends like people moving into a healthier lifestyle. It is considered very good for weight loss, and improvement of digestion including many health benefits.

The highest producer of Jowar in India is Maharashtra which accounts for around 54 percent of the total production. It is first sown before the onset of monsoon and then re-sown after the retreat of monsoon. Some areas of Maharashtra are completely dependent on the Jowar production as their source of income. After harvest the stalks are then used as a fodder for cattle. Karnataka is the second largest producer of Jowar with 18.51 percent of the total production. Around 80 percent comes from a very selected few districts as it is their main source of income. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the least production state in the whole country.

Ragi

Ragi is an extremely nutritious millet and has very uncanny similarities with Mustard seeds. It is extremely nutritious and contains amino acids, which are generally not found in the staple food of most people like rice, wheat etc. It is converted into a very fine powder before any use as a food product and is used to make food products like cookies, ladoo etc. It is very commonly available in millet and flour form. It has a high nutritional value and is even used in the food products for infants due to the large presence of protein and fiber. It is very good for digestion due to its high fiber content. It is very rich in antioxidants.

India is the largest producer of Ragi in the world and it is even cultivated in tropical and sub tropical region like Africa, China, Japan, Sri Lanka. It is a Kharif crop by nature but can also be used as a Rabi crop if sufficient water and irrigation system is produced. Karnataka is the largest producer of Rafi in the country followed by Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand.

Bajra

It is generally called Pennisetum glaucoma crop . It is even called as the pearl millet. The traditional name for it in Hindi is Bajra. It is even known as dunk, cumbe, sanio, babala. It is often referred to as the edible seed of pearl millet plant. They grow in various variety and colors like white, yellow, gray. It is a very proud member of the millet family. In recent days, it is gaining wide popularity due to its health benefits and new trends like people moving into a healthier lifestyle. It is a good source of protein, carbohydrates and fiber. It is gluten free and rich in antioxidants . Overall it is a good source of nutrition to the human body. Regularly eating whole grains like Bajra helps prevent health conditions like diabetes, heart disease and even helps in weight loss.

Countries like Nigeria, China, Niger and India are the leading producers of Bajra but the largest among them is India. Out of the total almost 85 percent is produced in Rajasthan which is 42 percent of the world production. Maharashtra grows 20 percent of the total production in India. Gujarat accounts to 12.5 percent of the total.

Sample Questions 

Question 1: What is the main reason for the increase in consumption of Ragi, Bajra etc.

Answer: 

 All the millets are now being considered as the healthier alternative for wheat or rice. In recent days, it is gaining wide popularity due to its health benefits and new trends like people moving into a healthier lifestyle. It is considered very good for weight loss, and improvement of digestion due to the high fiber content including many health benefits.

Question 2: Explain the production of Jowar.

Answer: 

The highest producer of Jowar in India is Maharashtra which accounts for around 54 percent of the total production. Karnataka is the second largest producer of Jowar with 18.51 percent of the total production. Around 80 percent comes from a very selected few districts as it is their main source of income. Rajasthan and Gujarat are the least production state in the whole country.

Question 3: Explain the production of Ragi.

Answer:

India is the largest producer of Ragi in the world and it is even cultivated in tropical and sub tropical region like Africa, China, Japan, Sri Lanka. It is a Kharif crop by nature but can also be used as a Rabi crop if sufficient water and irrigation system is produced. Karnataka is the largest producer of Rafi in the country followed by Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand.