Page 134 - Millets Natures NutriGrain

4.1.4. Khandesh:

Khandesh, located in the central part of India and specifically in
the northwestern portion of Maharashtra, plays a significant role

in the linguistic and agricultural fabric of the state. Predominantly
known for its banana agriculture, this region, nestled in the valley
of the Tapti River, consists of three major districts: Jalgaon, Dhule,
and Nandurbar. While the Khandeshi language, also referred to as
Ahirani, is indigenous to this region, it often merges into the broader

classification of Marathi, thus sometimes being underrepresented in
census data. From an agricultural perspective, two primary millets
dominate the region’s production - Pearl Millets and Sorghum Millets.

A study from the journal ‘Nutrients’ in 2019 delves deep into the

potential of millets in India, shedding light on their nutritional
benefits and highlighting their capacity to address malnutrition and
bolster food security. Millets, being rich in essential nutrients and

having a low glycemic index, stand out as cost-effective dietary
solutions, especially beneficial for those with metabolic disorders like
diabetes. However, the Khandesh region faces challenges in tapping
into the full potential of millet production. Barriers like insufficient
infrastructure, limited support for farmers, inadequate processing

facilities, and consumer unawareness hinder millet proliferation. To
harness the immense nutritional and economic benefits that millets
offer, investments are vital in areas like farmer support, infrastructure

enhancement, and consumer awareness campaigns specific to the
Khandesh region.

4.1.5. Konkan:

In the Konkan region of Maharashtra, millets emerged as a sustainable
crop with vast potential in both agricultural and economic domains.

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