Among millets, pearl millet (bajra) is the most widely grown type of millet followed by
sorghum (jowar)
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. Because of its tolerance to difficultgrowing conditions such as drought,
low soil fertility and high temperature, it can be grown in areas where other cereal crops, such
as maize or wheat would not survive (Basavaraj et al. 2010). Pearl millet in India is grown as
a single season crop. Cultivation predominantly takes place on marginal lands and unirrigated
lands. It is also grown in a small area as summer crop under irrigation particularly in the
northwestern states of India mainly as a fodder crop. Area trends of pearl millet in India are
constantly declining. Between 1972–73 and 2004–05,nearly 3 million ha has been diverted
from pearl millet cultivation to other crops. Pearl millet production is concentrated in
Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan which account for 70% of production in India. These
states also have the highest concentration of pearl millet consumers since bulk of the
consumption for food use takes place in the growing areas.