ABSTRACT

Millets are small-seeded grains, regarded as Nutri-Cereals. The dietary qualities of millet crops have a low glycemic index and high micronutrient content. The year 2023 was regarded as the “International Year of Millets”. The study was conducted on the millet area and production in Karnataka during the period 2006-07 to 2021-22. The crop data was collected from the District Statistical Office, Dharwad and weather data was collected from CMIP-6 and the Department of Agrometeorology, UAS, Dharwad. Finger millet was found to have the highest area and production among all the millets. Finger millet covered on an average area of 6,90,383.3 hectares and produced 10,93,099 tons and also more consistent for both area and production with CV of 13.43 per cent and 29.28 per cent. The trend analysis for the area and production of millets in Karnataka was found using different linear and nonlinear models. The cubic model was found to be the best-fitted model for all the millet area and production except the little millet area. Sorghum was found to have significant CAGR for both area and production with negative CAGR. Finger millet had stability for both area and production among all the millets. Minimum temperature and relative humidity were found to have a positive significant correlation with pearl millet yield, whereas wind speed and solar radiation had a negative significant correlation. The multiple linear regression of the weather parameters and millet yield in Karnataka only for the pearl millet F-Ratio was found to be significant. The estimation of the shift in the area of millets among the selected districts of Karnataka. Chitradurga had no retention of the area of millets, Dharwad had 36 per cent of the area retention of millets and Raichur had a retention area of 65 per cent of millets.