Tamil Nadu’s 2026-27 agriculture budget sets aside Rs 63.81 crore for the Tamil Nadu Millet Mission and a further Rs 7.61 crore for a separate Minor Millets Mission, Agriculture Minister Vinoth told the Assembly on 6 August 2026, DT Next reported. The first covers about 11.80 lakh acres and some 4.75 lakh farmers growing cumbu (pearl millet), cholam (sorghum) and ragi (finger millet), according to a second DT Next report.
For Chennai households, the more practical questions are which millet does what, and where to get it. Here is what the official nutrition data shows and what we could and could not confirm about buying millets in the city.
What the state is funding
The budget measures, as reported, include:
- Tamil Nadu Millet Mission (Rs 63.81 crore), shared by the Union and state governments, to raise area, output and yield of the major millets, with primary processing centres, machinery hiring centres, seed minikits and farmer groups.
- Tamil Nadu Minor Millets Mission (Rs 7.61 crore), aiming to double cultivation of samai (little millet), thinai (foxtail millet), varagu (kodo millet), kuthiraivali (barnyard millet) and panivaragu (proso millet).
- Rs 30 lakh for demonstration plots of quinoa, buckwheat and browntop millet.
Tamil Nadu is already the second-largest producer of ragi after Karnataka. The APEDA millet portal puts the state’s ragi output at 2.27 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 and 1.89 lakh tonnes in 2023-24.
What ICAR-IIMR’s data says about nutrition
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research in Hyderabad is the country’s nodal research body for millets. A January 2023 article by IIMR scientists in ICAR’s journal Indian Farming compares raw grains per 100 grams:
| Grain | Protein (g) | Dietary fibre (g) | Calcium (mg) | Iron (mg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Finger millet (ragi) | 7.2 | 11.2 | 364 | 4.6 |
| Pearl millet (cumbu) | 11.0 | 11.5 | 27.4 | 6.4 |
| Sorghum (cholam) | 10.0 | 10.2 | 27.6 | 3.9 |
| Foxtail millet (thinai) | 12.3 | 10.7 | 31 | 2.8 |
| Little millet (samai) | 10.1 | 7.7 | 16.1 | 1.3 |
| Kodo millet (varagu) | 8.9 | 6.4 | 15.3 | 2.3 |
| Milled raw rice | 7.9 | 2.8 | 7.5 | 0.6 |
Three points stand out. Ragi has far more calcium than any other grain on the list, roughly 48 times milled rice. Pearl millet is the iron leader. And every millet has several times the fibre of polished white rice, which is why many people find a millet meal more filling. The IIMR authors note that these are raw-grain values; cooking, dehulling and polishing change them.
Millets are not a cure for diabetes or any other condition. If you are managing blood sugar, kidney disease or a thyroid problem, talk to your doctor or a dietitian before making big changes.
Where to buy millets in Chennai
Ration shops. The last state statement we found on ragi through the public distribution system, a July 2023 Food Minister’s speech published by the Tamil Nadu government, said 2 kg of ragi per card was being supplied in Dharmapuri and the Nilgiris, with statewide rollout depending on supply. We found no official confirmation that Chennai ration shops issue millets now, so ask at your fair price shop rather than assuming.
Farmers’ markets and government outlets. We could not verify a current official list of Uzhavar Sandhais or government stores in Chennai that stock millets, so we are not naming any. Stock varies; ask before you travel.
Ordinary grocers and supermarkets. Most Chennai provision stores sell ragi flour, cumbu and the small millets loose or packed. When buying:
- Check whether small millets are dehulled. Samai, varagu and thinai must have their husk removed before cooking.
- Rinse well; small millets often carry grit.
- Buy flour in small packs. Ragi and cumbu flour can turn rancid in Chennai’s humidity within weeks.
- For packed products, check the FSSAI licence number and the packing date.
Easy ways to start
You do not need new recipes. Ragi kali, ragi dosai and koozh are already Tamil staples. Thinai or samai can replace rice in pongal or upma at a one-to-one swap with slightly more water. Cumbu dosai batter ferments like the regular kind. Start with one meal a day and adjust.
Quick answers
How much is Tamil Nadu spending on millets in 2026-27?
Rs 63.81 crore for the Millet Mission and Rs 7.61 crore for the Minor Millets Mission, as reported from the 6 August 2026 agriculture budget.
Which millet has the most calcium?
Ragi, at 364 mg per 100 g of raw grain, per ICAR-IIMR data.
Can I get ragi at Chennai ration shops?
We found no official confirmation. The last state statement named only Dharmapuri and the Nilgiris. Ask at your shop.
Are millets gluten-free?
Millets naturally contain no gluten, but cross-contamination can occur in mills, so people with coeliac disease should look for certified products.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Nutritional and health benefits of millets (Indian Farming, ICAR, January 2023; ICAR-IIMR authors)
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research
- Finger Millet (APEDA Millet Portal)
- TN Agri Budget 2026: Millet Mission to boost farmer incomes (DT Next, August 2026)
- Minister Vinoth presents TVK government's first Agriculture Budget (DT Next, 6 August 2026)
- Minister's speech on ragi distribution (Government of Tamil Nadu press release, July 2023)
