Jowar (Sorghum)

 Introduction

The Jowar (Sorghum) is a type of Kharif as well as a kharif crop and it is cultivated in the northwestern district of Madhya Pradesh. Many states of MP such as Shivpuri, Ratlam, Morena, Ujjain, and Bhind had produced this Kharif crop. It is also a type of Rabi crop and is cultivated in the states like Balaghat, Khargone, Dhar, Chhindwara, and Khandwa. Millet is also called Sorghum and it is considered to be a “cereal grain plant of the grass family”. The syrup of sorghum is used as a sweetener whereas the whole grain of sorghum has been used for baking. Specific geography is required for the cultivation of these crops.   

 Main body

Jowar in geography

• Geographically Jowar is a tropical crop that grows in the northwestern districts of MP. The growth of Sorghum (Jowar) can happen in both Kharif and Rabi seasons. It grows well in the dry regions where there is no provision for irrigation. Clayey deep regular and alluvium soil is the best for the growth of Jowar. On the other hand, it can be grown in different varieties of soil like sandy soils and loamy.
• The geography of Jowar shows that Jowar requires a rainfall of less than 100 cm per year. Rainfall of about 40 cm annually is the requirement for the growth of Jowar. A temperature between 25 to 32 degrees C is considered to be the best temperature for the growth of Jowar. In this field, it is important to mention that a temperature of fewer than 16 degrees C is not good for the crop.  

Geographical conditions required for the growth of Jowar

• Sorghum or Jowar is a tropical crop and specific geographical conditions are needed for the cultivation of this crop. A temperature between 25 degrees C to 32 degrees C is needed for the growth of this tropical crop. It has also been seen that a temperature below 16 degrees C is not good for the cultivation of this crop. 
• A certain amount of rainfall is important for the cultivation of this crop. It can be said that rainfall of about 40 cm annually is important for the production of this crop. The observation says that “Jowar is an extreme drought-tolerant crop” and it has been recommended for dry regions. 
• It has been grown on gentle slopes up to 1200 meter height but most of the crop has been raised in plain areas. Clayey deep regular and alluvium soil is the best soil for Jowar, though it can be raised in sandy and loamy soils.  

Cultivation of Jowar in states

• Jowar is a tropical crop of Madhya Pradesh and is cultivated in the northwestern districts of MP. The Jowar Kharif crop is cultivated in the districts like Ujjain, Morena, Ratlam, Shivpur, and Bhind. The Jowar Rabi crop is cultivated in the districts of MP like Chhindwara, Khandwa, Balaghat, Dhar, Jhabua, Khargone, and Seoni.
• In geography, it has been seen that Jowar is a kind of crop that can be raised in both Rabi and Kharif seasons. It can be seen that regions having less than 100 cm rainfall is the proper place for the growth of this crop. 
• It grows well in the dry regions where there is no irrigation for provision. Different varieties of soil are needed for the cultivation of this crop and the district of MP has the variety of soil for the production of this crop. The growth of this crop can mainly happen in the plain regions of MP but it is also raised in the gentle slopes of 1200 meter height.       

 Sorghum

• Sorghum, also called Indian millet or great millet, is a ‘cereal grain plant’ of the grass family. The value of sorghum has mostly been seen in the arid and hot regions. It has been used for resisting heat and drought in hot places. 
• The production of it has been seen in the southern part of India and it is a widely famous cereal grain. It has been commonly used in baking as whole grain and the syrup of it has been used as a sweetener. It has also been used as ‘a natural fuel source’ in the final step. 
• It has been seen that Jowar is famously known as sorghum and it is considered to be a healthy grain all over the world.

Conclusion

Jowar or Sorghum is the main attraction of this study. It is an important tropical crop and is considered to be very healthy. It has been produced mainly in the drought region of MP. It is considered to be the main crop of this region and the plains region is most suitable for the growth of this crop. A certain amount of rainfall that is less than 100 cm per year is necessary for the growth of this crop. It has been produced as a Rabi as well as a Kharif crop in this field. Therefore the statement can be drawn that it is mainly a tropical crop, produced in the arid and hot regions.