Kodo Millet: From seed treatment to manure and fertilizer play an important role in the advanced cultivation of Kodo

Advanced cultivation of Kodo | Millet cultivation is being promoted on a large scale in India. Kodo is also known as Bhangar in many places. This crop mainly grows in areas with less rainfall. Kodo rice is known as sugar free rice, which is considered very beneficial for diabetes patients. 

Although its cultivation is less than paddy cultivation, but in terms of nutrition, it contains plenty of nutrients. Kodo cultivation also requires less hard work.

Kodo plant is like a big grass or paddy plant and when its ears dry, the grain is removed from it by cleaning it. These grains are used for eating. After the importance given to millets from the year 2023, now farmers are being made aware of all types of coarse grains, so that they and the common people can benefit from it. So let’s know the method of advanced cultivation of Kodo.

Field preparation for Kodo crop

Kodo is a crop that grows in all types of soil. Kodo is easily cultivated even in such land where no other crop can grow. By the way, light land and land with proper arrangement of water are considered best for Kodo cultivation. To prepare the field, plowing is done in the summer season and plowing has to be done again after the rain, along with this, rotavator has to be run in the field, so that the soil becomes well friable.

Selection of varieties of Kodo and method of sowing

The selection of varieties is different for every type of land. For example, in areas where the land is stony, loamy, medium deep, less fertile, early maturing varieties are chosen and where there is more rainfall, late maturing varieties are chosen. It is sown in rows, for which 8-10 kg of seeds are required per hectare.

If sowing is being done by broadcasting method, then 12-15 kg of seeds are required. Kodo should be sown after the rains start. Early sowing gives good yield and the effect of pests and diseases is also less in it. If sowing is done till the end of July, the infestation of stem fly pest disease does not increase in the crop.

Improved varieties of Kodo

There are some improved varieties of Kodo like Jawahar Kodo-439, Jawahar Kodo-41, Jawahar Kodo-62, Jawahar Kodo-76 and GPUK-3.

Seed treatment in Kodo crop

Seed treatment is very important before sowing in this crop. Treat 3 grams of seed per kg of seed with thiram or mancozeb. This reduces the effect of seed-borne and soil-borne diseases in the crop. When sowing in rows, sow the seeds at a distance of 7 cm and keep a distance of 20-25 cm between the seeds in the rows.

Manure and fertilizer in Kodo crop

There is no need to apply fertilizer in this crop, but using 20 kg of phosphorous and 40 kg of nitrogen per hectare gives a good crop. Apply the full amount of phosphorous and half the amount of nitrogen at the time of sowing and the remaining amount of nitrogen three to five weeks after sowing. Also, at the time of sowing, add PSB. Bio-fertilizer at the rate of 4 to 5 kg per hectare mixed with 100 kg of soil or compost.

Harvesting of Kodo Crop

This crop is ready in 90 to 140 days. The crop can be harvested in two ways. The grains are separated by cutting, drying and beating the ears only or the grains are extracted by cutting the entire plant, drying it and threshing it with oxen.

Benefits of Kodo Crop

Kodo farming is very beneficial for farmers, because it is cost effective and water requirement is also less. Apart from this, it is also very beneficial for common people, because this crop is rich in nutrients, so its demand is gradually increasing. According to scientists, consuming Kodo is beneficial for liver, anemia, diabetes and asthma patients.