Want More Profit from Millet Farming? Sow These 15 Best Varieties for a Great Yield!

Millet farming

Krishi Dunia

• 08 Mar, 2025 02:49 PM IST ,
• Updated Sun, 09 Mar 2025 12:36 PM

Ideal Climate and Soil for Millet Cultivation:

Summer millet farming thrives well in hot climates with an annual rainfall of 50-60 cm. The ideal temperature for this crop ranges between 32-37°C. Although sandy loam soil is considered best for millet cultivation, it can also be grown in well-drained soils. Modern improved varieties developed by agricultural scientists not only yield higher but also have better disease resistance.

Top Millet Varieties:

There are several hybrid and composite varieties of millet available in the market that help farmers achieve higher yields and better production.

Hybrid Varieties:

TG-37, R-8808, R-9251, ICGS-1, ICGS-44, DH-86, M-52, PB-172, PB-180, GHB-526, GHB-558, GHB-183.

Composite Varieties:

Pusa Composite-383, Raj-171, IICMV-221, CTP-8203.

Best Sowing Time for Millet:

The ideal time for millet sowing is from mid-February to June-July. A seed rate of 5-7 kg per hectare is recommended. Maintain a row spacing of 25 cm, and ensure that seeds are not sown deeper than 2 cm.

Fertilizer Management for Higher Yield:

Proper fertilizer application is crucial for increasing millet yield.

• For irrigated areas: 80 kg nitrogen, 40-50 kg phosphorus, and 40 kg potash per hectare.
• For rainfed areas: 60 kg nitrogen, 30 kg phosphorus, and 30 kg potash per hectare.

At the time of sowing, apply half of the nitrogen and the entire phosphorus and potash at a depth of 3-4 cm. The remaining nitrogen should be mixed in the soil 4-5 weeks after germination.

Weed Control for Better Growth:

Keeping the field weed-free for the first 30 days is essential for a good yield. The first weeding should be done 15 days after sowing and repeated at 15-day intervals.

For chemical weed control, spray 1 kg Atrazine per hectare immediately after sowing or within 1-2 days. Alternatively, dissolve 0.5 kg Atrazine in 800 liters of water and spray it evenly.

Irrigation Management:

Maintaining sufficient moisture in the field is crucial for good millet yield. The crop requires the most water during the flowering and grain formation stages. In summer, irrigation should be done every 8-10 days, and around 9-10 irrigations may be required for summer millet.

Common Diseases and Their Prevention:

1. Downy Mildew Disease:

• Symptoms: White spots on leaves, yellowing, and leaf drop.
• Cause: A fungal infection due to excess moisture and cool weather.
• Prevention:
  • Treat seeds before sowing.
  • Avoid waterlogging in the field.
  • Follow crop rotation instead of growing millet repeatedly.

2. Smut Disease:

• Symptoms: Black fungal patches on millet ears, leading to crop damage.
• Cause: Caused by the Claviceps fungus.
• Prevention:
  • Treat seeds with hot water before sowing.
  • Control moisture levels in the field.
  • Remove infected plants immediately.

Millet farming can yield excellent results even in summer if the right varieties are selected and proper crop management is followed. By ensuring timely sowing, balanced fertilizer use, weed control, and disease prevention, farmers can achieve high productivity. Sowing these improved varieties between March and June-July can help farmers earn significant profits!