Dharan, Sunsari, November 8 — In a notable shift towards millet cultivation, most farmers in Barahakshetra Municipality-6 are opting for millet over traditional crops like rice and maize. Farmers in the region have found millet easier to cultivate with more rewarding yields. Local farmer Ammar Bahadur Bishwakarma, who has been cultivating millet on seven katthas of land annually for the past 17 years, says he now sustains his family from the income earned through millet farming. “After switching to commercial production, I am seeing a steady and satisfactory income,” he shared.
Millet’s versatility is also drawing local interest. According to Bishwakarma, some farmers earn substantial profits by turning millet into local liquor and tongba (a traditional drink), while others make a good income through personal use and sales.
Farmer Shanta Ghimire also shifted from maize and rice to millet, finding the latter more resilient against pests and diseases and yielding a better profit. “I used to lose crops to pests, but millet rarely faces such issues. Each kattha yields over 120 kg, and I have no trouble selling it in nearby markets like Inaruwa, Itahari, and Dharan,” she explained.
Narayan BK, another millet farmer with 16 katthas of land, has been solely cultivating millet for over five years. “Millet has been profitable, especially when I sell homemade millet liquor and tongba in local markets for good prices,” he said. Depending on the product, prices range from NPR 70 to 100 per kilogram, while a bottle of millet liquor sells for NPR 200.
Local and provincial government support, such as subsidies and seed supplies, would make millet farming even more viable, adds Bishwakarma. At present, over 15 families in Barahakshetra Municipality-6 are engaged in millet farming, with positive economic progress being reported.
According to Sunsari District Agriculture Knowledge Center, millet is grown on 458 hectares in the district. With increasing demand for packaged products like millet flour, liquor, and tongba, farmers who have remained in millet farming are seeing substantial income increases, noted spokesperson Pravinlal Shrestha.
Millet, which is high in calcium, magnesium, vitamin B, and antioxidants, is also celebrated for its health benefits, such as improving heart health and aiding digestion. With a growing market and health-conscious demand, millet is being embraced as a valuable, profitable crop across Sunsari’s farming communities.