Millet and Its Significance on the Eve of International Year of Millets 2023: Culture, Consumption and Conservation Karnataka, India

Abstract

This study was performed to learn what millet is and its significance on the eve of the International Year of Millets 2023 for high school students in Karnataka. The present study was considered essential to know about the perception of the Millennium Year celebration and to gain knowledge about why it is a prerequisite in our society, culture, nutrition, health, and food security. We selected different agro-climatic conditions in Karnataka state, like Shivamogga, Tumkur, Hassan, Mandya, Dharwad, and Chikkamagaluru districts. Where millet growing and consumption have been common since time immemorial, the present status is different. We involved 1095 students from 23 schools, 46 teachers who physically participated in the survey, and the participants' family members, 3285 grandparents and 2190 parents, who supported the students in debating for the information. The data were analyzed quantitatively by descriptive statistics and qualitatively by Pearson’s rank correlation. The findings revealed that most students do not know what millet is, and many do not hear of their name, their local name, or their importance as food, fodder, or health benefits. The majority of the students lack knowledge about millet, which is directly linked to their non-consumption of millet at home and in hotels. Why so much information and knowledge are not in the textbook is also one of the drawbacks of our system, as has been mentioned by the majority of the teachers. The only millets' knowledge bank is their elders (grandparents and parents). Our attempt to bridge the gap helped the students, parents, and teachers know what millet really is and why celebration matters to all, especially next-generation citizens (students), to know and act for their responsibility in food security in their region.