Jowar is one of the widely cultivated crops in India. Athough it is cultivated in most of the states, some jowar producing states in India stand out of rest in terms of production and scale due to their unique geographical regions that favour its production.
It mainly thrives in semi-arid regions of the country. Major Jowar producing states in India include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Of these, 50% of the Jowar production is from Maharashtra and Karnataka alone.
Let’s look into the details of these states, which make them the leading producers of this grain along with an insight into jowar production in India as a whole.
1. Maharashtra – Leading Jowar Producing State in India
Maharashtra is largest Jowar producing state in India, contributing to nearly 50% of the National Jowar output. Thanks to its diverse climatic conditions, which favour crop growth.
Maharashtra emerged as the top Jowar producing state, with an output of 14 lakh tonnes of Jowar in 2023 – 2024, cultivated on 16 lakh hectares of land in this state.
Jowar produced in this state is used both as a daily diet in the local staples and as fodder for livestock.
The state government has undertaken several initiatives to support Jowar farmers through subsidies, better-quality seeds, and irrigation facilities, further enhancing production and sustainability.
2. Karnataka
The State of Karnataka ranks second among the jowar producing states in India with a production of 7.06 lakh tonnes. This state also ranks first among Ragi producing states in India.
80% of state jowar production is sourced from the Karnataka’s northeastern region. The major districts contributing to this production include Dharwad, Bijapur, Raichur, Gulbarga, Bidar, Belgaum, and Chitradurga.
While Karnataka remains a leading Jowar producing state in India, its cultivation has significantly declined in recent years. The area dedicated to Jowar farming has dropped from 28.86 lakh hectares in 1959-60 to nearly 6 lakh hectares today.
The decline is attributed to several factors, including poor crop quality due to unfavourable climatic conditions and fluctuating market prices, making Jowar farming less viable for many farmers.
3. Rajasthan
Jowar is one of the vital food crops in Rajasthan’s diet. Well-suited to the region’s arid climate and limited water availability, this crop has been a significant source of income for many farmers for centuries.
Not only does it serve as a food crop, but it also serves as nutrition-rich fodder for livestock in many regions of this state with fewer water resources.
Today, Rajasthan stands third in India’s jowar production. With an annual production of 5.27 lakh tonnes cultivated across 5.09 lakh hectares.
An interesting fact about Rajasthan is this state stands first among the millet producing states in India and also among Bajra Producing states.
4. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is renowned for its high wheat production. However, in recent years, the state government has recognized the importance of diversifying its agricultural output. As part of this strategy, they have undertaken several initiatives to expand millet production.
Today, Uttar Pradesh stands fourth among Jowar producing states in India, with a production of 4.62 lakh tonnes, having cultivated in 2.89 lakh hectares.
5. Andhra Pradesh
With a production of 2.93 Lakh tonnes of Jowar during 2023-24, Andhra Pradesh ranks fifth in this list.
Jowar is cultivated across 84,000 hectares of Land in this coastal state.
Before emerging as a major rice producing state, Jowar and other millets have long served as staple food crops in Andhra Pradesh in its Rayalaseema and Palanadu regions.
Jowar is primarily cultivated in three districts, Kurnool, Guntur, and Anantapur. These districts account for approximately 80% of the state’s jowar production.
6. Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, Jowar is mainly cultivated in arid and semi-arid regions. As of 2023-24, the state produced 2.8 lakh tonnes of Jowar, cultivated across 3.36 lakh hectares.
Jowar consumption in Tamil Nadu dates back centuries and is integral to local food culture. It is used in making traditional dishes, including dosa, porridge, and snacks.
However, its popularity is declining each year. This can be attributed to falling Jowar prices and less market demand, leading farmers to choose more profitable crops like rice, maize, pulses, and cotton instead.
7. Madhya Pradesh
Ranking seventh among the major Jowar producing states in India, Madhya Pradesh produced 1.63 Lakh tonnes of Jowar during 2023-24.
Along with major crops like paddy, wheat and maize, which the state ranks the top producer, Jowar is also cultivated at widerscale.
Jowar is cultivated in 87,000 hectares of land in Madhya Pradesh.
As a Kharif crop, jowar is cultivated in regions like Bhind, Ujjain, Morena, Ratlam, and Shivpur.
Meanwhile, it is cultivated in the Barwani, Chhindwara, and Khargone districts during the Rabi season.
While jowar cultivation is declining in many states, Madhya Pradesh is experiencing positive growth due to the Millet Mission scheme. The government is increasing millet acreage by offering farmers an 80% subsidy on seeds provided by cooperative and government institutions.
8. Telangana
Jowar has been a staple food in Telangana for centuries. Majority of Jowar production in the state comes from the districts of Mahbubnagar, Adilabad, Medak, Sanga Reddy, and Ranga Reddy.
Due to the region’s favourable climatic and geographic conditions, Jowar is preferred as a secondary crop next to the maize.
Telangana ranks eighth in jowar production, with a production of 1.04 lakh tonnes from 56,000 hectares.
The steady increase in the state’s jowar output can be attributed to growing awareness of its health benefits, particularly in urban areas.
In 2024, Jowar cultivation had significantly increased in the Naraykhed and Zaheerabad regions of Sangareddy district, cultivating an impressive 8,634 and 7,050 acres, respectively.
9. Gujarat
Jowar cultivation is primarily found in three areas of Gujarat: Southern Gujarat, Kutchh, and Saurashtra.
Farmers cultivate Jowar as both a fodder and grain crop, depending on the season and regional conditions.
Specifically, it is grown as a grain crop in South Gujarat, while in North Gujarat, Kutchh, and Saurashtra, it serves as a dual-purpose crop.
This state ranks ninth among the Jowar producing states in India. It accounts for a total production of 56,000 tonnes, and the area under cultivation spans 41000 hectares.
Additionally, Gujarat is home to a prominent Sorghum research centre that is crucial in advancing cultivation techniques, developing pest-resistant seed varieties, and enhancing overall crop productivity.
10. Haryana
Haryana is an agriculture-dependent state in India, with rice and wheat as major crops. Several regions also cultivate millets, like Jowar and Bajra.
As of 2024, the jowar in this state is cultivated in an area of 47000 hectares, contributing to an annual production of approximately 25000 tonnes.
In Haryana, Jowar is primarily cultivated as a vital fodder crop. Key districts in Haryana that are known for Jowar fields include Mahendragarh, Bhiwani, Gurgaon, Hisar, Rohtak, Jhajjar, and Rewari.
