Pearl millet, scientifically known as Pennisetum glaucum or Bajara in Hindi, is an important cereal crop grown in several states of India. Pearl millet is a hardy crop that can thrive in dry and hot conditions, making it suitable for cultivation in many parts of India, The major pearl millet producing states in India include:
Rajasthan is the largest producer of pearl millet in India. It is particularly well-suited for the arid and semi-arid regions of the state, where water scarcity is a common challenge.
Maharashtra is another significant producer of pearl millet. The crop is grown in various regions of the state, including Marathwada and Vidarbha.
Pearl millet is an important crop in Gujarat, especially in the Saurashtra and Kutch regions, which have semi-arid conditions favorable for its cultivation.
Haryana is known for its diverse agriculture, and pearl millet is one of the crops cultivated in the state.
Pearl millet is grown in parts of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the Bundelkhand and western regions.
Madhya Pradesh is another state where pearl millet is cultivated, mainly in the central and western regions. True millets are grown in the drier regions of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana such as the northern and central parts of the states also in the southern and western regions of Tamil Nadu.