Farmers in Banaskantha district are smiling this season as the price of millet (bajra) and its by-products has surged. Due to extreme heat this year, there has been a bumper crop of summer millet, leading to increased demand for millet straw. Currently, the price of millet straw has reached between 25 to 30 rupees per unit. This rise in prices has brought joy to the farmers, who are now saying, ‘Aam ke aam, gutli ke bhi daam’ (both the fruit and the seed have good prices).
In Banaskantha, agriculture is the main source of income due to a lack of big industries. Alongside farming, livestock rearing has also flourished. Banaskantha district is known for producing the highest amount of milk in Asia through the Banaskantha dairy. This means there is a constant demand for fodder throughout the year. Most livestock owners store summer millet straw (known as ‘hala’) for use as dry fodder for their animals.
As the millet harvesting season is in full swing, the prices of millet and its straw have increased unexpectedly. This year, the price for a unit of millet straw has again reached 25 to 30 rupees, providing a double benefit to the farmers. Ahead of the monsoon season, livestock owners stock up on millet straw, which is why tractors and trucks are busy transporting millet straw from the fields. The straw is being sold as far as Sabarkantha, Patan, Mehsana, and even Rajasthan. Traders are visiting farms to collect the straw using vehicles, which has led to increased demand and higher prices, benefiting the farmers growing millet.
Market yards in the district are bustling with the income from millet sales. Millet is a food crop, but in recent years, there has been a rise in the cultivation of watermelon and sugarcane during the summer season, causing a decrease in millet farming. Despite this, farmers continue to grow enough millet for their own consumption, and they are receiving an average price of over 400 rupees per quintal for their millet. This allows farmers to keep enough millet for their households and sell the rest, leading to a thriving market for millet in the district.
The rise in millet prices is a good news story for the farmers of Banaskantha. With the increased demand for both millet and its straw, farmers are hopeful for a profitable harvest this year. The local economy is benefiting, and there is a sense of optimism among the farming community. As they celebrate the good prices, they are also reminded of the hard work that goes into farming, especially during the hot summer months. The farmers’ joy is evident, and they continue to work hard to ensure a successful harvest, further contributing to the agricultural landscape of Gujarat.
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