Top 10 Bajra Producing States in India 2026

Table of Contents

• Overview of Bajra Production in India
• Top 10 Bajra Producing States in India
  • Rajasthan
  • Uttar Pradesh
  • Haryana
  • Gujarat
  • Madhya Pradesh
  • Maharashtra
  • Karnataka
  • Tamil Nadu
  • Andhra Pradesh
  • Jammu and Kashmir
• Conclusion

Overview of Bajra Production in India

Different states cultivate different types of millet in India based on climatic conditions and nutritional value, and bajra is one of them, making up a significant share of India's millet production. Bajra is also called the pearl millet or Pennisetum glaucum crop. The edible seed present in the pearl millet plant is specifically referred to as bajra. It is one of the major crops in India and its grains occur in different colors, such as grey, yellow, and white. It is a coarse grain widely consumed in India, especially in the form of roti. Bajra is rich in iron, fiber, and protein, making it a highly nutritious grain. The consumption of bajra may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and digestive disorders. To learn more about bajra farming, check out our guide on Bajra Farming in India.

Top 10 Bajra Producing States in India

If you wonder where bajra is grown in India, the answer is no specific region but the whole country. India has different terrains and climatic settings, which means that bajra cultivation is widespread, and the yield per acre also varies in these regions. The total production of bajra in 2024-25 was around 112.04 lakh tonnes, covering an area of 7.21 million hectares. Rajasthan is the leading producer of bajra in India.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is the leading bajra producer in the country with a production of 50.26 lakh tonnes. This high yield accounts for almost 44.86 per cent of the total national bajra production. The climatic conditions and the state's soil are most suitable for cultivating bajra varieties like ICMH-356 and HHB-67-2, making Rajasthan the leading producer.

Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is second in pearl millet production in India after Rajasthan. The state produced 18.91 lakh tonnes, accounting for 16.88 per cent of the nation's total bajra production. Bajra ranks among the major crops in terms of cultivated area after wheat, rice, and corn. Bajra is primarily grown during the Kharif season (monsoon). Varieties such as Jawahar Bajra Hybrid-2 and Pusa Composite 383 are commonly cultivated, including in regions like Kanpur, Bareilly, and Agra.

Haryana

With 12.76 lakh tonnes of bajra production, Haryana is the third leading bajra producer in the country. The major contributing regions in the state are Hisar, Mahendragarh, Rohtak, Gurgaon, Jhajjar, Rewari, and Bhiwani. Among the various bajra varieties, HHB-67-2 and HHB-94 are among the most commonly cultivated varieties.

Gujarat

Gujarat produced 12.59 lakh tonnes of bajra in the year. Bajra is the primary millet grown in the state, and the soft and sandy soil of the state offers a suitable environment. The crop is primarily cultivated during the Kharif (rainy) season, while it is also grown in summer under irrigated conditions. Bajra is cultivated across several regions, including Ahmedabad, Banaskantha, Gandhinagar, Anand, and Bhavnagar. Improved hybrid varieties from the GHB series, such as GHB‑538 and GHB‑558, are commonly cultivated in the state.

Madhya Pradesh

The state stands among the top five bajra producers with a production of 8.03 lakh tonnes. The crop is cultivated in several regions, particularly in the north-western parts of the state such as Sheopur, Gwalior, Bhind, and Morena, where the climatic conditions are suitable. Commonly grown bajra varieties include Nandi‑52, RHB‑58, and Pusa‑444.

Maharashtra

With its bajra production of 5.64 lakh tonnes, Maharashtra ranks sixth. Bajra is cultivated mainly in the Kharif season in semi-arid regions such as Ahmednagar, Solapur, Nashik, Aurangabad, and nearby districts, with very limited cultivation in the post-rainy (rabi) season. Improved varieties such as ICTP‑8203 are commonly grown in the state.

Karnataka

Karnataka produced 1.53 lakh tonnes of bajra in the year. The state cultivates several varieties of bajra for different seasons, like Pusa Composite – 612, RHB-58 in the Kharif season and Nandi-35 during the summer season.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu produced 1.23 lakh tonnes, and its percent share was 1.10%. The state also cultivates several bajra varieties, among which the popular ones are Co Cu-9 and ICMV-221 during the Kharif and Rabi seasons.

Andhra Pradesh

Bajra is grown in Andhra Pradesh mainly during the Kharif season, as it is a rainfed crop suited to low‑rainfall conditions. Varieties such as WCC-75 and ICMH-451 have been cultivated in the state. This diversified cultivation contributes to a production of around 0.7 lakh tonnes of bajra in the state.

Jammu and Kashmir

Jammu and Kashmir is the last state on the list of the top ten bajra producing states, and it produced 0.09 lakh tonnes of bajra. Different hybrid bajra varieties, such as NBH 4903, PBH 306 and AHB 1200, are cultivated in the state.

Conclusion

The list of India's top ten bajra producing states shows how bajra plays a crucial role in the Indian agricultural sector. With different states involved in cultivating and producing diverse varieties, the nation's food security is ensured. In addition to this, the health benefits associated with bajra cannot be ignored. These benefits can be further supported by developing high-yielding and nutrient-rich hybrid varieties. Agriculture plays a major role in India's food security and economic growth. While India is the largest producer of various vegetables and fruits, the country is also one of the world's leading millet producers.