BHILAI, 30 june 2025: In a bid to uplift rural livelihoods and promote self-employment, the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a unit of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), has launched a scientific millet cultivation training programme for farmers in Chhattisgarh’s Rowghat mining region.
This initiative, part of BSP’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), is being implemented in collaboration with Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Narayanpur. The goal is to empower farmers with modern agricultural practices for cultivating small-grain millets like ragi, kodo, and kutki.
The Rowghat iron ore belt, spread across Kanker and Narayanpur districts, holds over 731 million tonnes of reserves. SAIL controls Deposit-F, with 476 million tonnes—vital for steel production as existing reserves at the Dalli-Rajhara mines deplete.
“Traditional kharif farming in the region is facing challenges due to shifting climate and economics. Millets offer a sustainable, nutritious, and low-input alternative,” said a BSP spokesperson. These crops require minimal water, are pest-resistant, and can thrive in tough weather conditions, making them ideal for the region’s agro-climatic zone.
Over 189 farmers have joined the programme, which spans more than 250 acres of farmland. A recent training session at KVK introduced participants to high-yield millet varieties and best practices in scientific farming. Post-training, ragi seeds will be distributed, followed by field-level sowing demonstrations.
Experts from KVK will provide end-to-end support, from cultivation to processing and market linkage strategies. “Ensuring farmers access better markets and fair prices is as important as improving their crop yield,” the spokesperson added.
Adding to the farmers’ confidence, the Government of India has announced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) for ragi, strengthening the commercial viability of millet farming.
This CSR initiative not only addresses agricultural resilience but also aligns with India’s broader millet mission, declared the International Year of Millets in 2023 by the United Nations.