On March 3, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. India is one of the promoters of millet.
India is one of the major producers of Jowar, the biggest millet crop, and Bajra. Ragi, foxtail millet, buckwheat, and amaranthus are other varieties of millet.
In India, mainly Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat produce millets. Here, it is a Kharif crop. India is one of the oldest nations to use millet. Records say that even the Indus Valley people consumed millet, which is a climate-friendly crop. It is a perfect crop to ensure food security and beat climate change because millets can be cultivated even in drought-hit areas. It requires less water compared to rice and wheat.
The International Year of Millets is an opportunity for India to propagate millet as ‘Nutri-Cereals.’ Globally, millets are considered the ‘powerhouses of nutrition.’ They are gluten-free, non-allergic and rich in dietary fiber. It can reduce anaemia, liver disorders, asthma, obesity and the risk of Type II diabetes.
It is ideal for preschool children and women of reproductive age. Recently, India organised a pre-launch celebration where high commissioners and ambassadors from more than 60 countries participated. Altogether millets are grown in 131 countries. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar put forward the cultivation and popularisation of millets as a way to fight the food security challenge. He cited the Covid period as a recent example of food security challenge. In Asia and Africa, it is the traditional food of 59 crore people. In India, millet consumption is more in rural areas compared to urban areas.
