Collector inaugurates District-level Millet Festival in Krishnagiri

Collector C. Dinesh Kumar inaugurates District-level Millet Festival in Krishnagiri, promoting millet cultivation and nutrition benefits.

The District-level Millet Festival was inaugurated by Collector C. Dinesh Kumar in Shoolagiri here on Wednesday (February 18, 2026).

The Collector distributed handouts on millet cultivation, processing and their value addition, and emphasised on the significance of millets.

Millets are grown next to paddy, but they are seen as a powerhouse of nutrition and nourishment in comparison to paddy, the Collector said. Pearl Millet (Kambu), Little Millet (Samai), Finger Millet (Ragi), Foxtail Millet (Thinai), Barnyard Millet (Kuthiraivali), Kodo Millet (Varagu) are among the millets grown and seen to host a range of wellness benefits.

In the district, for 2025-26, 36,746 acres is under finger millet, 3293 acres- corn; 780 acres- pearl millet and 162 hectares (ha) under little millet.

Under the National Food Security and Nutrition Mission (NFSNM), a special scheme for millet production is under implementation with the Centre contributing 60% and the State providing 40%. Under the scheme, millet production has been allocated ₹4.28 crore envisioning support for millet cultivation, the Collector added. This entailed setting up model farms for the millets, providing 50% subsidy for high quality millet seeds, support price for certified millet seeds and providing 50% subsidy for micronutrients among other incentives for cultivation.

Similarly, under the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission, 100% subsidy for new varieties of millets and a back-ended subsidy of ₹4000 per ha for farmers cultivating millets is envisioned. A value addition unit is also set up in Bargur at ₹18.75 lakh.