When and where can I grow niger seed (ramtil) and how do I sow it?

Niger (ramtil) is a hardy rainfed oilseed grown mainly by tribal farmers on poor, hilly and marginal land, sown in the kharif from around July to August. It tolerates poor soils and low fertility where few other crops do well, making it suited to upland and shifting cultivation areas of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand. The seed is very small, so prepare a fine seedbed and sow shallow, and broadcasting is common though line sowing gives a better stand. It needs few inputs and matures in a few months. Niger flowers also support honey bees. Confirm the recommended variety and exact sowing window for your area with your KVK, as it is region specific.