The Ultimate Guide to Bajra Farming in India: From Sowing to Harvest

Table of Contents

• Importance of Bajra Farming in India
• Requirements for Bajra Cultivation in India
  • Climatic and Soil Requirements for Bajra Cultivation
  • Preparation of Land for Bajra Cultivation
  • Sowing of Bajra in India
  • Water Management in Bajra Cultivation
  • Nutrition Management of Bajra Crop
  • Weed, Pest, and Disease Management of Bajra Crop
  • Harvesting of the Bajra Crop
• Conclusion

Importance of Bajra Farming in India

Bajra, scientifically known as Pennisetum glaucum, is an important forage of the tropical climate. This kharif crop has been widely grown in India since ancient times. Bajra being a Poaceae plant, has a variety of small-seeded grasses. Bajra is popularly known as pearl millet because its shape resembles to pearl. The most commonly cultivated bajra in India is pearl bajra. It is found in different places of the world in different types. India stands among the top 12 producers of bajra in the world. The United Nations, at the behest of the Government of India, declared 2023 as the “International year of millet”.

Bajra plays a dual role as a staple for both animals and humans. This nutritious crop, on an average, contains 7-10% crude protein, 56-64% natural detergent fiber, and 38-41% acid detergent fiber, due to which it is widely consumed in India. Bajra is a natural source of iron, zinc, calcium and other nutrients. It can be given to animals as green, dry, or conserved fodder in the form of hay. Another quality of bajra is its high resistance to extreme weather conditions and calamitic situations like drought as well. Bajra crops can easily survive in warm and arid weather, making them a perfect fit for India.

Requirements for Bajra Cultivation in India

Bajra is the third most important crop after wheat and rice in India. The top bajra producing-states in India are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Gujarat. However, there are certain requirements for practicing bajra cultivation appropriately. Let’s look into them below.

Climatic and Soil Requirements for Bajra Cultivation

The bajra crop grows well in dry and warm climatic regions with abundant sunlight. The best temperature required for the production of bajra is between 25°C and 35°C. Bajra, being durable, can easily survive in arid and semi-arid regions. However, an appropriate amount of rainfall is required during its growing stage for a healthy harvest. Bajra has the capability to be grown in a different range of soils. However, sandy loamy soils and black cotton soils with good drainage are best for bajra cultivation. Bajra cannot tolerate acidity so the soil used for bajra cultivation should not be acidic in nature. The ideal pH range of the soil for the growth of the bajra crop is between 6.5 and 7.5.

Preparation of Land for Bajra Cultivation

Land preparation is the basis of cultivation and a high-yielding harvest. However, before beginning with the land preparation, the crop stands and grows better in soils that are prepared well. Ploughing followed by crosswise harrowing and planking the soil, is sufficient for breaking up any clods, improving the soil structure, and eventually leading to a good seed bed for better root development. Bajra crops don't grow well in soils susceptible to waterlogged conditions; hence, a proper water drainage system is crucial to stop any water-logging situation. Level the field to promote uniform water distribution during irrigation.

Sowing of Bajra in India

The best sowing time for bajra differs from region to region. March to mid-April is the best time for sowing bajra in the summer season. The perfect time for sowing bajra is the monsoon season. While sowing the seeds, a distance of 30 to 40 cm should be kept between the rows, using the seed rate of 10-12 kg/ha. make sure you choose high-quality bajra seeds from reputable sources to ensure healthy bajra plant growth. The use of certified seeds can lead to high yield. It is advised not to sow the seeds more than 1.5-2.0 cm deep. It is necessary to cover the seeds lightly with soil after sowing to protect them from birds or pests. Make sure to treat the seeds with Agrosan GN or Thiram at a rate of 3.0 gm/kg seed before sowing to control seed-borne pathogens.

Water Management in Bajra Cultivation

Bajra crops require a moderate amount of water during their growing stages, like tillering, flowering, and grain developmental stages. Irrigation should be done at regular intervals in order to maintain the moisture levels of the soil. The water logging can cause rotting of roots and damage the growth of bajra plant so you should avoid overwatering the bajra crops. The two best methods of irrigation for bajra cultivation are drip irrigation and sprinkler irrigation. The schedule of irrigation for bajra should be decided according to the season and weather conditions of your area. For example, the crops sown in July might require 1-2 irrigations depending on the rainfall, and the crops sown in summer may require up to 4-5 irrigations.

Nutrition Management of Bajra Crop

Bajra requires different nutrients for different stages of growth. It requires nitrogen for vegetative growth, phosphorus for root development, and potassium for overall health. All the important secondary and micronutrient requirements can be fulfilled by using 10 tons of farmyard manure per hectare. Use 50 kg of nitrogen, 30 kg of phosphorus (P2O5), and 30 kg of potassium (K2O) per hectare as a basal dose when you start sowing. Use more 30 kg of nitrogen per hectare as a top dressing after a month. In rainy situations, apply 20-30 kg of nitrogen per hectare when it rains around 30-35 days after sowing. In dry situations, spray a 2% urea solution to enhance biomass production quickly. You can treat the seeds with Azospirillum bacteria for increasing crop yield and reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizer by 15-20%.

Weed, Pest, and Disease Management of Bajra Crop

• Weed Management: Manual weeding is the most effective technique for managing weed plants. Farmers remove weeds by hand or with other tools like a hoe in this technique. The use of herbicides like atrazine in quantities of 0.50 kg per hectare mixed with 600 liters of water before the crop emerges can effectively manage weeds. However, this is only applicable for the growth of the bajra crop and not in intercropping scenarios.
• Pest and Disease Management: Stem flies, stem borer, aphids, and armyworms are very common pests that have the potential to harm bajra plants by feeding on them or by transferring diseases. Bajra is also prone to downy mildew, ergot disease, leaf blight, and smut disease. In forage pearl millet, the use of chemicals for pests and diseases is not preferred; therefore, seed dressing with Metalaxyl at 2.0 grams per kilogram of seeds or spraying with Ridomil at 1000 ppm is considered an effective practice for pest and disease control.

Harvesting of the Bajra Crop

You can harvest the bajra crop when it reaches physiological maturity. The black spot present at the bottom of the grain in the hilar region signifies the physiological maturity of the bajra or pearl millet. The leaves of the bajra plant turn yellowish and look dry when it matures. However, harvesting should be done when grains retain some moisture to prevent shattering during the threshing process. Harvesting is done using a sickle or mechanical harvester. The ear heads of pearl millet are cut first, and then a week later, its stalks are cut. Harvesting of single-cut varieties should be done after 55 to 60 days of sowing. In multi-cut varieties, the first cut should be done after 40 to 45 days of sowing and the next cut after 30 days.

Conclusion

In recent years, there has been a significant growth in the interest of consumers in traditional grains like bajra because of their nutritional value and gluten-free qualities. This growth acts as a significant opportunity for farmers if utilized strategically. By collaborating with different industries, bajra farmers can diversify their income streams. Bajra can be sold as flour for culinary purposes; it can be converted into ready-to-cook products like flakes or puffed grains. Oil extracted from bajra seeds can be used as a nutritious cooking oil. It can be processed into beverages like malted drinks or brewed into beer. Bajra, in the forthcoming years, has the potential to grow enormously in the food industry.