The international year of millets 2023: A multi-dimensional opportunity for India

Abstract

Millets are very significant part of Indian agriculture and the oldest crop known to humankind. These food grains are the most beneficial for health, since they are gluten-free and good for the digestive system as well as protect us from various diseases. Ayurveda describes millets under kudhany varga with their various properties. Millets are hardy grains that prosper in semi-arid climates. The majority of cultivars have higher iron contents than both rice and wheat and offer more protein than rice. Despite the long tradition of millet intake in India, between 1972-1973 and 2004-2005, consumption of pearl millet or Bajra fell by 67 per cent in urban areas and by 59 per cent in rural ones. Study found that Jowar, bajra, maize, and ragi provided 23 per cent of India`s grain needs in 1983 but only 6 per cent in 2011. Millets are known to be rich of iron, low glycaemic index, high protein and mineral content along with other nutrients that may help to protect and prevent health by behaving as a regular diet supplement. Enhancing its production, we can achieve multidimensional benefit. it may play a game changer for farmers economy along with a substitute for food security. Government have continued some projects to popularise millets intake as a substitute food and addressing millet as Srianna.