On 4 November, Bundi, as part of Bricks Sustainable Lifestyle Week, the agriculture department launched a special awareness drive to promote millets (bajra, jowar) farming. The department organised seminars at district agriculture supervisor headquarters and block headquarters
At the end‑of‑week Wednesday “Adopt Sustainable Food Systems” programme, millets promotion was prioritised. According to the department, the drive aims to promote traditional crops and coarse cereals, conserve agricultural biodiversity, strengthen local food systems and provide farmers with climate‑smart, sustainable farming options
Benefits of millets farming
Bajra and jowar suit Rajasthan’s climate; they can be grown with low water and on low‑fertility soils. Pest‑disease incidence is also relatively low, benefiting farmers in rain‑fed areas. Nutritionally, these cereals are important and bolster local food security
The fodder from these crops is useful for livestock, giving mixed‑farmers an extra source of income. Low water use also helps conserve water resources
Guidelines for farmers
In seminars held under Sustainable Lifestyle Week, the department appealed to farmers to promote bajra, jowar and other coarse cereals according to their land, climate and available irrigation resources. Farmers can contact their area agriculture supervisors and officials for suitable varieties, sowing times and crop‑management advice
- Bajra and jowar grow with little water
- Pest‑disease incidence is low, reducing the need for pesticides
- Crop diversification enhances the resilience of local food systems