Sansad TV: Mission Millets | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Introduction

• The Global Millets Conference was inaugurated in New Delhi by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who emphasized India's commitment to global welfare. He highlighted the growing significance of millets as a catalyst for holistic development in India, and the country's Millet Mission was hailed as a boon for 2.5 crore millet-producing farmers.
• The Indian Institute of Millets Research of ICAR was declared a Global Centre of Excellence by the Prime Minister, and the United Nations General Assembly has recognized 2023 as the International Year of Millets upon India's proposal. India has been exporting millets to 139 countries worldwide, while also promoting millet production as part of its National Food Security Mission.

India's efforts

• FSSAI: Formulating guidelines to incorporate millets into the food menu of schools, hospitals, and government canteens.
• Establishment of "Millets canteens" to produce millet-based foods in hospitals.
• Youth Affairs Ministry: Conducting webinars and conferences through the Fit India app, featuring renowned athletes, nutritionists, and dieticians to promote millets.
• Ministry of Food Processing Industries: Organizing millet fair-cum-exhibitions in various states to showcase the importance of millets.

Importance of cultivating millets for farm diversification

Millets offer farmers the best opportunity to achieve three crucial farming objectives: profitability, adaptability, and sustainability. Farming systems based on millets provide the following advantages:

• Climate Resilience: Millets exhibit high tolerance to increased temperatures, droughts, and floods. They thrive in dry and rain-fed areas with marginal soil fertility and moisture conditions, even in the sand dunes of Rajasthan.
• Water Efficiency: Millets have a lower water requirement compared to other crops due to their efficient root systems. For instance, pearl millet and finger millet can fulfill their rainfall needs with just 28% of what paddy requires. Figure 1 demonstrates a comparison of water requirements among different cereals.
• Short Rotation and Quick Yield: Millets have a short growth cycle (around 65 days), making them vital for meeting food demands, especially in densely populated regions.
• Extended Storage Life: Millets have a relatively long storage life, lasting up to two years or more.
• Low Investment Requirement: Millet farming requires minimal investment, contributing to cost-effectiveness for farmers.
• Organic Inputs: Millet cultivation relies primarily on organic inputs, aligning with sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices.
• High Tillering Capacity: Millets produce more tillers or branches compared to other crops, enhancing overall yield potential.
• Dual-purpose Crop: Millets serve both as a food source and fodder for livestock, providing additional benefits to farmers.

Nutritional and Food Security Benefits

Millets offer significant nutritional advantages, making them crucial for addressing malnutrition and ensuring food security among the Indian population. Research has established the following nutritional contributions of millets:

• Rich in Nutrients: Millets contain higher amounts of calcium, iron, beta-carotene, and other nutrients compared to rice and wheat.
• Dietary Fiber Content: Millets are rich in dietary fiber, which is significantly higher compared to rice. For example, jowar has eight times more fiber, ragi has 40 times more calcium, and bajra has eight times more iron, as well as five times more riboflavin and folic acid than rice.
• Health Benefits: Regular consumption of millets can help manage diabetes, improve the digestive system, reduce the risk of cancer, and strengthen the immune system. Millet diets are ideal for individuals with celiac disease and diabetes, as they are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index.
• Nervous System Support: Millets contain high levels of lecithin, which is beneficial for strengthening the nervous system.
• Rich in Minerals and Fibers: Millets are comparatively richer in minerals and fibers, further contributing to their nutritional value.

The way Forward

• To ensure the sustainable cultivation of millets, it is essential to maintain their traditional multi-cropping farming approach and avoid monoculture practices encouraged by government extension programs.
• The government should introduce incentives to promote millet cultivation and encourage farmers to engage in its production.
• There should be a greater emphasis on value addition for millets to create higher demand among urban consumers.
• Collaboration between the government and civil society organizations (CSOs) is crucial to raise awareness about the nutritional benefits of millets and their role in carbon sequestration.
• Efforts should be made to mechanize millet processing, reducing the labor-intensive nature of traditional methods.

Conclusion

• Millets hold great value in addressing the sustainable development goals (SDGs) related to food security, nutrition, and poverty eradication.
• With their immense potential, millets can play a vital role in the country's sustainable development if supported by policies that promote production, provide incentives to farmers, and strengthen market connections.