Page 185 - CW E-Magazine (7-11-2023)

Special Report Special Report

Millets for food and nutrition security equipment and technologies; and cater- contributing to the resurgence of millets and also fortifi ed millets rich in iron and
zinc. More research are required in this
ing to various domestic and international in the Indian diet.
market segments. ICAR-Indian Institute area to improve farm productivity of
illets are as old as when agri- production of millets needs to be given ARVIND CHAUDHARY of Millet Research, Hyderabad, has been Market size these crops, and thereby farmers’ in-
culture was initiated in dif- more impetus. revitalising millet production by sharing India has always acknowledged the come. The extension agencies have also
Mferent parts of the world. So Director General best management practices, research and importance of millets, considering them to play an important role in transfer of
Fertiliser Association of India
is the case with India. These crops have Decline in share of millets in food Email: dg@faidelhi.org technology at the National and Interna- a ‘super food’ and a prominent way to developed technologies to the grass-
been the ancient food grains and played grain production tional level. enhance farmers’ incomes, consumer roots level for adoption by the farmers.
vital role in ensuring food and nutrition It is worth to mention that there has and are hailed as ‘climate-smart’ crops, health and the Nation’s prosperity. As these crops are short duration, they
security to the human race. These are been a steep fall in area under cultiva- requiring less water and inputs. The Government initiatives can fi t in the timing between one crop
collective group of small seeded grains, tion of millets from 1970s. Produc- adverse effect of climate change on Among other various initiatives, India stands at the third position and the following, or if lands are fallow
belong to the Poaceae family and tion of these crops had shown increase crops has already been witnessed. Government of India has reintroduced globally in terms of export value of during the period. In view of creation
commonly known as the grass family. up to 1975-80, and then more or less millets into public diets across the US$64-mn during 2021-22. The global of hydrological drought in tube well
These are highly nutritious and have remained at the same level up to 2015-20, Overall, millets are indispensable country. Noteworthy initiatives such as market size of millets is projected to irrigated areas and salinity/alkanility
been consumed for centuries in various on the basis of fi ve year averages. not only for their nutritional values, but POSHAN 2.0 emphasise the promotion grow at a compound annual growth rate in canal-irrigated areas of rice-wheat
cultures around the world. Development and adoption of improved also for their potential to foster sustain- of dietary diversity and food fortifi ca- (CAGR) of 4.6% (from 2023 to 2028) cropping system, millets should be
varieties/hybrid seeds have made note- able agriculture, and enhance food and tion, while also supporting traditional and reach US$13.80-bn by 2028. As given emphasis in such cropping systems,
Millets are grown in about 131 worthy contribution from 1990-95 in nutritional security. Millets are rich in knowledge systems and integrating a leading producer of millets, India’s may be by incentivising the farmers,
countries in tropical, sub-tropical and productivity improvement of these dietary fi bre, proteins, vitamins, and millets. Realising their importance, share in international trade is forecasted to minimise such problems. India is
slightly temperate regions of the world, crops. Further, with the use of high minerals, making them valuable part of various State Governments are also to grow exponentially, representing enriched with unique varieties of value-
with Asia and Africa the major produc- yielding varieties of wheat and rice a balanced diet. They also play a crucial putting up sincere efforts by including US$2-bn in opportunities. added products of millets and same
tion and consumption centres. Except with application of fertilisers, and use role in enhancing our immune system. millets in their programmes. Some of are becoming very popular among the
teff and fonio, sorghum (jowar), pearl of irrigation, production of these crops Being nutritionally rich, high in dietary these are emphasis on cultivation of Four-pronged strategy people residing in cities as they realise
millet (bajra), fi nger millet (ragi), and showed considerable increases from fi bres and low in glycaemic index, mil- millets by tribal people; unique multi- Millets are the ‘next-gen solution’ for the value of such products for sustain-
small millets such as foxtail millet 1970s. Therefore, the share of millets in lets very well tackle the nutritional and stakeholder interventions, introducing cultivators, consumers and the climate. able lifestyles. But as millets are less
(kangni), little millet (kutki), barnyard total food grain production has declined lifestyle challenges at consumer ends. millet-based foods; establishment of They directly support fi ve Sustainable remunerative, they require the necessary
millet (sawan), kodo millet, proso millet considerably over the years. millet village; serving of hot, cooked Development Goals set-up by United supports to make them more profi table
(cheena) and browntop millet (korale), Renewed attention meal to the children under integrated Nations – 1, 2, 3, 12 and 13, out of 17 and to enhance farmers’ income. There
etc. are cultivated in India in one region The reduction in share has been Millets have been gaining renewed child development services; inclusion goals. In order to tap the full potential scope for value-addition and processing
or the other. ascribed to loss of millets acreage by attention in recent years due to their in Public Distribution System and Mid- of millets, one can adopt a four-pronged to earn more than the routine business.
other crops in view of their more yield potential to address food, nutrition and Day Meal schemes; processing and strategy coined as ‘PAID’ – produc- Millets can be promoted through entre-
Food and nutrition security potentials and better crop prices. As per economic security; promote sustainable supplying of kodo millet bars to pre- tion enhancement; awareness creation; preneurship development in collective
India had a ship-to-mouth existence the Third Advance Estimate of Minis- agriculture; and contribute to healthier school children through Anganwadi innovation; and demand generation. action mode through SHGs and FPOs.
and used to meet its food requirement try of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, diet. centres; revival of ragi cultivation, etc. The efforts of Indian agri-scientists
with wheat imports from USA under production of shree anna/nutri-cereals is These collaborative efforts by various are underway towards development of [Indian Journal of Fertilisers,
PL-480 Scheme in 1960s. The instru- estimated at 17.15-mt, against total food Government of India included stakeholders have been signifi cantly better high yielding varieties/hybrids, 19(10), 986-987, October 2023]
mental role played by Dr. M.S. Swami- grain production of 330.5-mt, thereby coarse cereals under the National Food
nathan in development of high yield- showing a share of 5.2% now. Security Act in 2013 and National Food
ing varieties of wheat and rice in late Security Mission; and celebrated 2018
1960s resulted in self-suffi ciency in Nutritional and resilient as ‘National Year of Millets’ with recog-
food grain production in the country. Millets hold immense signifi cance nition of millets as nutri-cereals
We give tribute to sad the demise of the across various domains. They stand as because of their added advantages.
Father of Green Revolution, Dr. Swami- nutritional powerhouses, abundant in The United Nations General Assembly
nathan, for his pioneering contribution vital nutrients, making them crucial for (UNGA) declared 2023 as the ‘Inter-
in development of agriculture and mak- combating malnutrition. Their adapt- national Year of Millets’ on 5th March
ing India self-reliant in food grains. In ability to thrive in diverse agro-climatic 2021 on the behest of the Government
2000s, he underlined that now there is a conditions and their short duration of India. The main objective is to raise
great opportunity for us to enlarge our render them pivotal in areas where con- awareness about the nutritional and
food basket and look at grains that are ventional crops face challenges. These environmental benefi ts of millets by
more nutritious in order to ensure food crops can withstand harsh environmen- promoting their cultivation, production, Mrs. Usha S. - usha@hpicindia.com
as well as nutrition security. Increase in tal conditions, drought-like situation, consumption; diversifying processing

184 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 Chemical Weekly November 7, 2023 185

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