Question

What are Coarse Grains?

Answer 1

Hint: 1.The coarse grains require very less amount of water and can be grown in water deficit areas.
2. Coarse grains have very high nutritional value.
3. A range of coarse grown are grown throughout India in several ecology, agro-climatic conditions, but mostly as rainfed crops.

Complete answer:
Coarse grains are a broad sub-group of several short duration warm weather (Kharif) crops like Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Maize, Ragi (Finger Millet) etc.
India with its diversified agricultural assets in terms of soil, rainfall and climate has abundant crop diversity. Due to coarse grains' several drought tolerance characteristics, their cultivation in drought prone areas for providing food for human consumption, feed & fodder for animal and poultry, use as fuel and industrial uses are in common. During drought conditions, it helps in generating employment in low rainfall areas where other alternative crops are limited. As an assured source of income, these coarse cereals offer an improved role during distress environments.
These crops are grown in areas with warm temperatures and are called dryland crops because they can be grown in areas with 50-100 cm rainfall. These crops are less sensitive to soil deficiencies and are grown in inferior alluvial or loamy soil.
Growing coarse grains is useful because-
a. Coarse grains are more cost-effective and nutritionally superior to wheat and rice as a result of their high protein, vitamins and minerals like iron content and are rich in calcium and magnesium.
b. Coarse grains can provide nutritional security against nutritional deficiency, especially among children and women. Its high iron content can fight high prevalence of anaemia in Indian women of reproductive age and infants.
c. Coarse grains are rich in antioxidants.
d. Coarse grains also can help to tackle lifestyle and health problems such obesity and diabetes.
e. Coarse grains can grow on poor soils and are resilient to global climate change.

Note: 1. India holds 4th position within the world in coarse cereal production after USA, China & Brazil.
2. As per 2016 figures, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh are the highest coarse cereal producer states of India.
3. Coarse grains have low carbon and water footprint(rice crops require 3 times more water to grow).