The Government of India sponsored the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 proposal, which was spearheaded by the Prime Minister and approved by the UNGA. The proclamation has been essential for the Indian government’s leadership in IYM celebrations. The Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has also expressed his desire for IYM 2023 to become a “People’s Movement” and for India to become a “Global Hub for Millets.”
There are numerous examples of millets being consumed throughout the Indus Valley Civilisation, making millets one of the first crops to be domesticated in India. Millets are currently grown in more than 130 countries and represent a staple diet for more than 500 million people in Asia and Africa. Millets are largely a kharif crop in India and require less water and agricultural inputs than other staple foods of a similar nature. Millets are significant due to their enormous potential to support livelihoods, boost farmer income, and guarantee global food & nutritional security.
The Government of India (GoI) has prioritised millets because to their huge potential and alignment with numerous UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In order to increase marketing and demand generation, millets were rebranded as “Nutri Cereals” in April 2018, and 2018 was subsequently named the National Year of Millets. During the forecast period of 2021–2026, the worldwide millets market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5%.
In order to kick off the International Year of Millets – 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations organised an inauguration ceremony in Rome, Italy, on December 6, 2022. A group of senior Indian government officials attended the occasion. Next in the series, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare sponsored a special “Millet Luncheon” for the Members of the Parliament in the Parliament house preparatory to the year-long celebration of “International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023.”
To achieve the goal of IYM 2023 and spread Indian millets around the world, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare has adopted a proactive multi-stakeholder engagement approach (involving all the central government ministries, states/UTs, farmers, start-ups, exporters, retail businesses, hotels, Indian Embassies, etc.). Ministries, states, and Indian embassies have been given emphasis months in 2023 to conduct a variety of IYM-related activities and raise public awareness of the advantages of millets for consumers, farmers, and the environment.
What are millets?
- It is a collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses that are cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
- They are hardy, resilient crops that have a low carbon and water footprint, can withstand high temperatures, grow on poor soils with little or no external inputs and are thus termed as the ‘miracle grains’ or ‘crops of the future’.
- The earliest evidence for these grains has been found in Indus civilisation and was one of the first plants domesticated for food.
- Millets can be classified into:
- Major millets
- Minor millets
- Pseudo Millets: Buck-wheat (Kuttu) and Amaranth (Chaulai)
| Major millets | Minor millets |
| Jowar also known as Sorghum is often regarded as the “new quinoa” due to its gluten-free and whole-grain properties. Also called Camel Plant | An ancient millet called jhangara or sanwa, also known as barnyard millet, is often farmed in Uttarakhand’s hilly regions |
| Bajra, commonly referred to as the pearl millet, originates in Rajasthan and is now highly valued across the country due to its ayurvedic and scientific benefits. | An annual plant that can withstand drought, kodo, koda, or arke millet is widely grown in India, |
| Little millet, also known as kutki or shavan, is typically eaten like rice. | |
| Proso (Cheena) also referred to as white millet, Kashif millet, or hog millet is a distinctive Indian millet. Also called common millet |
Why are Millets Considered Important ‘NutriCereals’?
- Climate Resilient Staple Food Crops: Millets are drought-resistant, require less water and can grow in poor soil conditions. This makes them a suitable food crop for areas with unpredictable weather patterns and water scarcity.
- Rich in nutrients: Millets are a good source of fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
- Gluten-free: Millets are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
- Adaptable: Millets can be grown in a variety of soils and climates, making them a versatile crop option for farmers
- Sustainable: Millets are often grown using traditional farming methods, which are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than modern, industrial farming practices.
Global Distribution:
- India, Nigeria and China are the largest producers of millets in the world, accounting for more than 55% of the global production.
- For many years, India was a major producer of millets. However, in recent years, millet production has increased dramatically in Africa.
India and Millets:
- India produces more than 170 lakh tonnes of millet, which is 80 % of Asia’s and 20 % of global production.
- While the Global average yield of Millet is 1229 kg/ha, the yield in India is 1239 kg/ha.
- In India – Pearl millet (60%) followed by Sorghum (27%), Finger millet (11%) and Small millets (2%) are the major millets produced in India (as per the 4th Advance estimate 2021- 22)
- The top five states producing Millets are Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
MSP of Millets:
- The Minimum Support Price (MSP) for various kinds of cereal in the country is fixed by the government. The Government also procures food grains on MSP.
- It motivates farmers to grow that crop as it fetches a reasonably good price.
- Till some time back, the MSP for coarse cereals was very low. But today, it is more than wheat and rice.
- Today, MSP is fixed for 22 cereals, pulses, and oilseeds, of which three major coarse cereals are Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi.
- In the Budget of 2018-19, the Central Government announced fixing MSP for other cereals and coarse cereals with a minimum profit of 50 per cent.
- That is, 50 per cent of the cost of the crop will be kept as profit for the farmers.
- The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) makes this assessment.
- Following this, a record MSP was fixed in 2018-19 for Jowar, Bajra, and Ragi, the three coarse cereals grown in abundance in the country.
- Many central and state government agencies also procure millets on MSP. It fetches a fair deal to the farmers. Due to this initiative, farmers also show interest in growing these neglected crops.
Initiatives towards making IYM 2023 a Success:
- The Government has embarked on a nationwide Jan Andolan to enhance awareness and highlight the nutritional benefits of millets, positioning it as a modern-day healthy food that is easy to cook and quick to prepare.
- Various creative campaigns on several forums such as radio, print, social media, offline events, and activities are being taken up to break the stigma of millet being the “food of the poor”, showcasing it as a super food, combating misinformation, reviving lost recipes, thus making it as an essential part of the mainstream food basket.
- Millets have been showcased in various reputed events like India International Trade Fair, Dubai Expo and Surajkund Mela, etc.
- Over 500 startups are working in millet value chain while the Indian Institute on Millet Research has incubated 250 startups under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY-RAFTAAR).
- More than Rs. 6.2 crores has been disbursed to over 66 startups while about 25 startups have been approved for further funding.
- Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is actively spreading awareness of the health benefits of the miracle crop by celebrating “Recipe Ravivar” every Sunday on social media platforms where each month is dedicated to a specific variety of millet.
- Eat Right Melas and Walkathons have been organised across the country.
- The Government of India has launched a set of seven sutras in the run-up to IYM 2023 and has allocated different government departments for the same.
- The seven sutras outline areas in the enhancement of production/productivity, nutrition and health benefits, value addition, processing, and recipe development, entrepreneurship/startup/collective development, awareness creation-branding, labelling and promotion, international outreach, and policy interventions for mainstreaming.
- The Government also plans to establish Centres of Excellence on millets across the length and breadth of the country and link industries with these centres.
- Initiatives by state governments: “ The Food of the Future” & Organic farming & millet promotion “Savayava Bhagya Yojana” – Karnataka
- Institute- Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) – Hyderabad – Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) in Hyderabad will be supported as a centre of excellence, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while announcing the Union Budget 20232024. India is the largest producer and second largest exporter of Shree Anna, the FM said adding that IIMR will be supported to make a global hub of the same.
What are the Constraints to Increased Millet Cultivation and Consumption?
- Decline in the Area Under Millet Cultivation:
- Millets were earlier cultivated in an area of 35 million hectares of land. But it is now being grown in only 15 million hectaresreasons for a shift in land use include lowyields, time-consuming and laborious tasks in the processing of millets which are undertaken by women.
- Additionally, very little was marketed, and a tiny share of grain was processed into value-added products.
- In 2019-20, the total off take of cereals through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and also school meals was around 54 million tonnes.
- If about 20% of rice and wheat were to be replaced by millet, the state would have to procure 10.8 million tonnes of millet.
- Low Productivity of Millets: Over the last decade, the production of sorghum (jowar) has fallen, the production of pearl millet (bajra) has stagnated, and the production of other millets, including finger millet (ragi), has stagnated or declined.
- Lack of Awareness: Many people in India are not aware of the health benefits of millets, leading to low demand
- High Cost: Millets are often priced higher than traditional cereals, making them less accessible to low income consumers.
- Limited Availability: Millets are not widely available in traditional and modern (e-commerce) retail markets, making it difficult for consumers to purchase them.
- Perceived Taste: Some people believe that millets have a bland or unpleasant taste, which discourages them from consuming them.
- Agricultural Challenges: The cultivation of millets is often associated with low yields and low profitability, which can discourage farmers from growing them.
- Competition from Rice and Wheat: Rice and wheat are staple foods in India and are widely available, making it difficult for millets to compete in the market.
- Lack of Government Support: India has not provided enough support to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets, which has limited their growth.
What should be the Way Forward?
- Adequate Public Support:
- Small farmers in hilly regions and drylands plains who are among the poorest households in rural India will cultivate millets only if it gives them good returns. Adequate public support can make millet cultivation profitable, ensure supply for the PDS, and, ultimately, provide nutritional benefits to a wide section of the population.
- Awareness and Education: Lack of awareness about millets and their health benefits can be addressed through education and promotion.
- Availability and Accessibility:
- Affordability: Millets are often more expensive than other staple grains, making them less accessible to low-income consumers. Addressing affordability through government subsidies or market interventions can increase consumption.
- Changing Perception: The perception of millets as a poor man’s food needs to be changed through marketing and promotion.
- Processing and Value-added Products: Improving processing techniques an increasing the availability of value-added millet-based products can make them more appealing to consumers.
- Collaboration: Collaboration between farmers, processors, and marketers can help increase the supply and demand of millets.
Conclusion:
The cultivation of millet on a broad scale has the potential to assist farmers in safeguarding their livelihoods in the face of climate change. Widespread adoption of millets can also help address the lifestyle diseases like diabetes due to their nutritional value. Government has taken several commendable initiatives to promote millet production. The efforts should be scaled up to further enhance area under millet cultivation.
Source:
- Yojana magazine – January 2023
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1908322
- https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2023/mar/doc2023318173501.pdf
- https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-economics/international-year-of-millets-india-farmers-united-states-pm-modi-8355579/
- https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/explained-millets-nutrient-content-affected-by-processing-polishing/article66841703.ece
Previous Year Questions
Mains
- How has the emphasis on certain crops brought about changes in cropping patterns in recent past? Elaborate the emphasis on millets production and consumption. (15 marks, 2018)
Prelims
With reference to ‘Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion’, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2016)
- This initiative aims to demonstrate the improved production and post-harvest technologies, and to demonstrate value addition techniques, in an integrated manner, with a cluster approach.
- Poor, small, marginal and tribal farmers have a larger stake in this scheme.
- An important objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers of commercial crops to shift to millet cultivation by offering them free kits of critical inputs of nutrients and micro irrigation equipment.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: (c)
Practice Questions
Prelims
Consider the following statements:
- Millets were the first plants to be domesticated
- Sorghum is the majorly cultivated millet in India
Identify the correct statements
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- None of the above
Answer: A
“ Food for the future” campaign is related to
- Millets
- Rice
- Wheat
- Organic fruits and vegetables
Answer: A
Mains
- Millets are referred to as food for the future. Discuss the statement considering global food security index (10 marks)
- 2023 is considered as era of millets, on the light of it elaborate benefits and importance of millets. Mention the steps taken by government in promotion of millets. (15 marks)