2023 was the International Year of Millets
The declaration of 2023 as Year of Millets has helped in elevating awareness of millets for food security and nutrition, inspired stakeholders towards improving production, productivity and quality of millets and enhanced investment in R&D and extension services.
Millets have a very long history, and were among the earliest crops domesticated in Asia and Africa.
Putting millets on the map
A staple food for over 90 million people worldwide, India, Nigeria, Niger and China are the world’s biggest producers of millets. However, millets are also cultivated in Europe and America.
In addition to the three major millets, and five “healing” millets, pseudo millets like buckwheat and amaranth are also experiencing a revival. While quinoa is higher in protein than millets, containing all nine essential amino acids, amaranth is closest to quinoa in its nutritional benefits, with a slight competitive edge, thanks to its higher protein and iron content.
Millets are a game-changer when it comes to climate change
Millets, needing minimal fertilizer and emitting fewer greenhouse gases than other cereal grains, possess the potential to diminish emissions, enhance soil health, and effectively combat climate change.
Farmer with Millet SeedlingMinistry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Millets can help address key challenges of the 21st century
This includes food security. Millets are superfoods that boost general health and well-being thanks to their high protein content and dietary fiber, which regulates bowel movement.
Finger Millet Dosa (Ragi)Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
They’re low on the glycemic index scale, making them ideal for preventing diabetes, and rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including iron and potassium. Finger millet or Ragi, for example, has more calcium than milk.
An increase in millet consumption, and demand, can also help smallholder farmers improve their livelihoods.
As G20 President, India is championing millets
G20 members represent 85% of global GDP, 75% of international trade and two-thirds of the world's population. So anything on the G20 agenda is, by default, on the world’s agenda. India’s G20 Presidency theme is “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, translated as “One Earth, One Family, One Future”, drawn from the Maha Upanishad. How can this vision be realized? A global push to cultivate and consume nutritious and climate-resilient millets is one way.
The Roadmap
During the 100th G20 meeting under India's presidency, the meeting of agricultural chief scientists (MACS) in April 2023 reached the unanimous decision to launch an initiative named MAHARISHI, which stands for "Millets And Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative."
The approach focuses on diversity in production and consumption across the globe, and monitoring impact on local communities, which is key to avoid the boom-bust cycle that quinoa saw after its rise to prominence, with the demand for certain varieties increasing to the exclusion of others, and a change in land-use patterns to cater to this spike.
Millets are gaining momentum
Since 2018 - the National Year of Millets in India - the government has been making a concerted effort to increase the area under millet cultivation, to distribute these nutritious grains through the Public Distribution System, and support entrepreneurs working with millets and millet-based products.
The Hyderabad-based ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research is poised to be a global hub for knowledge and development around millets.
The ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research hosts the recently launched Nutrihub, a startup incubator that’s supported over 500 entrepreneurs and companies to work on post-harvest technology and value-added millet products.
Millet vermicelli, noodles, pasta and biscuits are slowly making their way to grocery shelves, and independent craft breweries are developing and launching millet-based beers, using grains sourced from conscious producers. Internationally, there is a growing demand for gluten-free beers.
Text and images courtesy Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India
