Millet Cultivation in North-East India

1.Introduction

Millets are often grown in tropical and subtropical regions at an altitude of 2100 m. Being a heat-loving plant, 8-10 degrees C is the required minimum temperature for germination. These crops can tolerate a certain level of soil alkalinity and adapt well to a variety of soil types, from extremely poor to very fertile.

Sandy, loamy and alluvial soils with good drainage and the best types of soils for them. For effective germination and crop establishment, fine tilth is crucial. The ideal growth temperature range for millets is between 26-29 degrees Celsius for optimum production and good crop yield. It is grown in regions with rainfall between 500 and 900 millimeters.

2.Importance of Organic agriculture in Millets

• India’s agricultural industry entered a new phase with the Green revolution in the 1960s. By adopting high yielding wheat and rice varieties and the contemporary agricultural techniques, which required the substantial use of chemicals fertilizers and pesticides, the requirement of large-scale food production was addressed.
• Water bodies were poisoned and agricultural land was extensively destroyed as a result of the use of pesticides and the quick succession of crops without giving the soil enough time to restore its nutrient quality.
• The countries rivers and waterways have been devastated by the relentless cultivation of cereals and other crops with extensive use of chemical fertilizers to boost crop yields. The once-fertile soils are now unsuited for growing any crop and the same issue can be experienced in Arunachal Pradesh if not addressed in time. In recent years the issue has gotten worse as the impact of climate change has been more widespread.
• The negative consequence of climate change is not limited to India, many nations throughout the world are experiencing crop failures as a result of unpredictable seasonal changes. This where sustainable organic farming and millet cultivation comes into play.

3.Nutrient Management in Organic Millet Cultivation

Millets do not require chemical fertilizers. In fact, they grow better in dry conditions without chemical fertilizers.

In organic millet farms, nutrient management should efficiently supply crops nutrient needs, prevent nutrient depletion, and maintain or increase soil productivity without disproportionate nutrient losses.

Millet’s farmers frequently succeed in enhancing the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil for sustained productivity by using techniques like:

• Using organic material, such as compost, vermicompost, farm yard manure, and bio-fertilizers, to preserve soil organic matter and deliver nutrients.
• Using cover crops to recycle soil nutrients and biologically fix nitrogen from the atmosphere.
• Planting green manure legumes in situ or using green leaf manuring and incorporating them into the soil.
• Intercropping or growing multiple crops simultaneously.
• Rotation of crops.
• Management of crop residues.

4.Shifting cultivation of Millets in hill/ tribal areas

Shifting cultivation also known as “Slash and Burn” or “Swidden”, is type of farming used by tribal groups in Arunachal Pradesh. Most of the crops planted on lands under shifting agriculture are millets, specifically finger millet, small millet, foxtail millet, proso, kodo millet, pearl millet, and sorghum.

A variety of millet varieties, including finger millet, foxtail millet, pearl millet, barnyard millet, little millet and sorghum are broadcast on hill slopes during the summer, and paddy seeds are typically sown as the monsoon season approaches. Vegetables and other crops are also grown at the same time.

Hill soils are more susceptible to soil erosion and other natural processes because of the slope and topography, which lowers soil fertility. Additionally, in hilly places, animal dung is a crucial source of repairing and sustaining the fertility of the soils.

5.Application of organic matter to the soil

5.1.Manures

In organic farming applying manure to the millet crop is frequently a beneficial source of nutrients. However, because the millet crops extract more nitrogen and potassium than phosphorous, using manures to fulfill all of the crops nutritional requirements could result in an excess of some nutrients, such as phosphorous.

5.2.Compost

By using biological processes in under-regulated settings, composting is a technique that transforms organic wastes into organic fertilizers with increased concentrations. Composting also often kills some diseases and weed seedlings, making it easier to handle than bulk organic material.

5.3.Cover Crops

Cover crops can enhance the microbial activities, nitrogen cycling, and physical characteristics of the soil. In addition, cover crops can recover leftover nitrogen mineralized from soil and organic amendments before it is lost by volatilization, runoff or leaching.

5.4.Green Manures

Green manure is the term for uncomposted, green plant matter used as manure. They are two ways to get it: either by planting green manure crops or by gathering green leaves and twigs from plants growing in wastelands, field bunds and forests.

5.5.Crop Rotation

Crop productivity, nutrient availability, insect control, nutrient usage efficiency and soil physical qualities can all be improved through crop rotation. Legumes grown as crop rotation might result in adding nitrogen for succeeding crops because of biological nitrogen fixation and less nitrogen immobilization than growing non-legume as the preceding crop.

6.Consumption habits of millets in the region

6.1.Zan

The most favoured porridge recipe among the Monpa Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh. The dish is made using millet flour.  They eat this for breakfast in the morning. They eat this breakfast in the morning. It is nourishing and filling.

6.2.Apong

Apong and Madua Apong are two popular beverages made in Arunachal Pradesh using rice and millet respectively, through an unrestricted fermentation process. Among the tribes, Mirung (Millet) is used to make Madua Apong, a dark red organic wine, The Adi and Nyishi tribes frequently brew this. For the Adi tribe, it represents more than just brewed wine, it is an integral part of their culture and religion.

Millets are said to be the forerunner of the evergreen revolution and therefore, also can be referred to as Miracle Grains and a boon to the religion.