Millets are one group of food that are nutritious and also one of the hardiest crops that can be grown in extremes of climate. Because of their nutritive value, they are also called “Nutri-Cereals”. Promotion of millets can help us to attain many of the objectives of sustainable development goals.

Considering the importance of millets, the Indian government in 2018 proposed to observe 2023 as an International Year of Millets, which was approved by the Food and Agriculture Organization(FAO) and the United Nations General Assembly.

What are Millets?

These are a group of small-seeded grasses. There are different types of millets:

• Pearl millet (Bajra)

• Finger millet (Ragi)

• Foxtail millet (Kakun)

• Proso millet (Cheena)

• Barnyard millet (Sanwa)

• Kodo millet ( Kodo)

• Sorghum (Jowar)

• Little millet (Kutki)

• Buckwheat (Kuttu)

• Amaranth (Chaulai)

These crops can tolerate drought, high temperatures and poor soil conditions, where many crops fail to grow. They also require very little input and are cost-effective for the farmers. With climate change and a growing population, there is a need to increase food production.

They can also be grown with minimal environmental impact, unlike crops like rice grown in areas of Punjab, and Haryana which have led to a fall in the water table and also act as supplementary food sources where there is over-reliance on a single staple crop like wheat and rice and can help to tackle any crop failure.

In terms of nutritional values, they are rich in B vitamins like niacin, thiamine, and minerals like iron, manganese. According to NFHS-5, more than 50% of women in the reproductive age group suffer from anaemia. These can play an important role in reducing anaemia in the country. Millets are also low in glycemic index, therefore this can also be used in the management of diabetes.Being nutritionally rich they can help India in tackling hidden hunger and can possibly help the country in improving its rank in Global Hunger Index.

History of Millet consumption in India and the present status:

Millets have been an important part of the Indian diet for thousands of years in the form of flatbread, porridges etc. Especially in dry, arid areas of Rajasthan, Maharashtra. But over time, their consumption has declined.

Reasons for decreased Millet consumption

• Lower yield as compared to other crops like rice, and wheat (IARI - Indian Agricultural Research Institute has developed Pusa-1201, which has a higher yield)

• Rice and wheat consumption were once associated with status symbol

• Ease of processing wheat and rice, gluten present in wheat makes the dough elastic and cohesive

• Government intervention during the Green Revolution, policies like Minimum Support Price promoted the production of wheat and rice

Because of these factors, millet production over the years has decreased. It has decreased from 21.32 million tonnes in 2003-04 to 15.92 million tonnes in 2021-22.

What are the objectives of the International Year of Millets?

1. Increase awareness about the role of millets in food security and nutrition

2. Improve sustainable production and quality of millets

3. Increase investment in research and development in the area

Possible ways through which millet production and consumption can be increased

• By investing in R&D to increase the yield of millets

• Making millets a part of decentralised procurement by states at minimum support prices (centre can incentivise states)

• Introducing millets to fight hidden hunger through the Public distribution system, Saksham Anganwadi and Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme.

• Private companies can utilise the nutritive value of millets to market their product

• Though at present they may not be as widely consumed as other crops. But their importance is likely to increase in future considering the threat of climate change and food security challenges.