Raj’s first millet research centre in Barmer soon

Barmer: Finally the state govt had cleared the way for the state's first bajra (millet) research centre. In a recent meeting of the state cabinet, the Rajasthan govt had given green nod to the allotment of 40 hectares of land for the project at Gudamalani block in Barmer district. However, the project was to be set up two years ago but it was stuck between the state and Centre govt. The union govt had sanctioned the project two years ago but it remained in papers as the state govt did not allot the land for the project. On Tuesday during the cabinet meeting, the state govt allotted 40 hectares of land to project.

According to the official data, Rajasthan shares 42 percent of the country’s total bajra production. The country’s average bajra sowing area is around 9.8 million hectare and the production is 9.4 million tonne, against which Raj produces 3.75 (42%) million tonne bajra. India’s only bajra research centre is located in Hyderabad, Telangana. But states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, UP and MP are hardly getting any benefit from the centre.