Resilient ragi's acerage surges on good returns, stable markets

Bengaluru: Finger millet or ragi, popular among consumers for its nutritional value, has become a priority crop for growers as well. Over the last six years, ragi cultivation has seen the second-largest expansion among agricultural crops in Karnataka, after maize. While the area under maize cultivation increased from 15 lakh hectares in 2019-20 to 19 lakh hectares in 2024-25 (advanced estimates), the area under ragi cultivation grew from 6.73 lakh hectares to 8.73 lakh hectares during the period.

Statistics from the agriculture department show that remunerative prices, stable markets and the crop’s ability to withstand climatic variations are key reasons for the steady spread of ragi. Karnataka is the largest producer of ragi in the country, contributing more than 60% of the country’s total production. In 2024-25, the state produced 13.5 lakh tonnes of ragi as per the advanced estimates.

The rainfed crop spread to all districts in the state, except Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, in the drought year of 2018. Prior to that, this staple food of the Old Mysuru region was grown in 23 districts. The top producing districts Tumakuru, Hassan, Mysuru and Mandya have witnessed a surge in the area under ragi cultivation. However, Kolar, another traditional ragi growing district, has seen a considerable decline in the area under cultivation compared to 2019.

For the first time, the area under cultivation crossed eight lakh hectares in 2020, a year after the minimum support price (MSP) crossed Rs 3,000 per quintal.

“There is a positive correlation between MSP and the area under cultivation. Over the last seven to eight years, the MSP has increased substantially for ragi. Traditionally a late kharif crop, now ragi is grown even during the rabi season using residual moisture and occasional rainfall,” says G T Putra, the director of agriculture. In 2024-25, the minimum support price for finger millet was at Rs 4,290 per quintal.

“The decline in area in Kolar could be because of the availability of irrigation. With irrigation, farmers generally switch to vegetables or flowers,” he adds.

Yield reduction

However, the yield per hectare and correspondingly, the total production has been fluctuating over the past decade and are in a declining trend since 2019-2020. For instance, In 2019-20, the yield per hectare was 18 quintals. In 2023-24, farmers got slightly over 12.5 quintals per hectare. Last year was an exception, with the 2024-25 advance estimates showing a considerable increase (15.4 quintals per hectare) in the production.

“Ragi is a rainfed crop and its yield is directly linked to rainfall. The yield declined in 2023 as it was a drought year. Rainfall was good in 2024 and the yield improved. Rains during harvest time could also lead to yield reduction. Even though it is a climate-resilient crop, there could be fluctuations in yield due to weather anomalies. The yield has not declined due to production practices,” says Thimmegowda M N, head of the Agrometeorology Department at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru.

“Varietal development is a continuous process and scientists have been able to develop some excellent varieties,” he adds.

Other reasons

Farmers also list factors such as food and fodder security, ease of cultivation, and mechanisation that make ragi a preferred crop. Farmer Manjunath K in Kottur taluk of Vijayanagara district says, “The crop grows well in adverse climatic conditions. It is resilient to drought, heat and poor soil conditions and brings us good income. The availability of machines to harvest the crop has only boosted its cultivation in the time of labour scarcity in agriculture.”

The cost of cultivation of ragi in one hectare area is around Rs 30,000, with an average yield of 12 to 13 quintals.

Earlier, this jowar farmer used to grow ragi as a minor intercrop for fodder. Now, he grows jowar during the kharif season, and ragi in rabi instead of pulses. “Jowar is used only for household consumption as the prices are not remunerative,” he says.

Despite being a climate-smart crop and a staple in the North Karnataka region, the area under jowar cultivation has dropped by 2.5 lakh hectares over the last five years. Experts attribute this to a low MSP. Jowar’s minimum support price for the year 2024 was Rs 3,371 per quintal for hybrid jowar and Rs 3,421 per quintal for Maldandi jowar variety.

“Ragi is the best example of how policy intervention could help sustain agriculture in times of climate change,” says agriculture expert V Gayathri, who campaigned for the decentralisation of procurement centres for ragi. “Also, ragi grown in both kharif and rabi seasons is procured. These interventions should be extended to jowar as well,” she says.

Ragi and jowar are the major crops among millets in the state. The area under the cultivation of other millets together is less than two lakh hectares. The area under cultivation of jowar was 6.5 lakh hectares in 2024-25 (advanced estimates).

Inclusion in the public distribution system (PDS) has also helped ensure market stability for ragi. Ragi procurement has remained consistent after it was introduced into the PDS seven years ago, along with jowar. However, farmers don’t sell jowar at the government procurement centres as the MSP is less than open market price.