How does mulching help millet and dryland crops, and which mulch to use?

Mulching helps dryland and millet crops by reducing soil moisture evaporation, suppressing weeds, moderating soil temperature and adding organic matter as it decomposes. Organic mulches like crop residue, straw, dried leaves and groundnut shells are cheap and widely used, and they improve the soil over time. Plastic mulch is used for higher value crops like vegetables and sweet corn where moisture control and earliness matter, but it adds cost and needs disposal. For rainfed millets, a residue or straw mulch spread between rows after establishment is the most practical and economical choice. Apply mulch when soil is moist for best effect. Avoid thick fresh green mulch that can harbour pests. Match the mulch to your crop value and residue availability.