International Year of Millets 2023: Some Aspects

10 July 2024

Introduction

The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) at its 75th session in March 2021, following the proposal introduced by the Government of India. The declaration was made after the UNGA and FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) had accepted the proposal. The declaration highlighted the importance of millets in achieving sustainable development goals and its potential as a ‘global superfood’.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare along with other central ministries, state governments, and Indian embassies organised several activities to make people aware about the importance of these ancient golden grains and how they can be included in people’s diet. Some of the events organised by the Government of India include ‘Millet Startup Innovation Challenge’, ‘India’s Wealth, Millets for Health’, ‘Logo and Slogan Contest for IYM 2023’, and ‘Mighty Millets Quiz’. Further, the Prime Minister of India opined that IYM 2023 would be a ‘People’s Movement’ which would assist in making India the ‘Global Hub for Millets’.

For celebrating the IYM 2023, India received the support of more than 70 countries. Under the supervision of the FAO, the IYM 2023 was celebrated along with other stakeholders, such as farmers, civil society, and the youth. The opening ceremony and other celebrations of the IYM 2023 were held at the FAO headquarters at Rome in Italy.

The year 2023 was dedicated to putting more efforts in the cultivation of millets in view of their nutritive value and their easy adaptation to climate change.

Objectives of the IYM 2023

The major objectives of the IYM 2023 are as follows:

To promote sustainable production and improve the quality of millets grown around the world by guiding stakeholders
To make people aware that millet significantly contributes to food security and nutrition
To frame policies considering the nutritional and health benefits that millets provide as well as their resilience to global climatic changes
To encourage the sustainable production of millets, which can generate many new sustainable market opportunities for both producers and consumers
To lay emphasis on investing in research and development along with extension services so that above-mentioned objectives can be achieved

About Millet

Millet is a staple food for millions of small farmers that provides them with nutrition, livelihood, and income. Cultivated in more than 130 countries, it can be used for several purposes, including fodder, food, brewing, and biofuels.

The term ‘millet’ originated from the Latin word milum which means grain. Millet is a group of cereals that belong to the Poaceae family, commonly known as grass family. There are various types of millet, which differ in their colour, texture, appearance, grain size, and species.

On the basis of size of grain, millets are classified as

(i) Large or major millets which include Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), Ragi (Finger Millet), Kangni or Kakun (Foxtail Millet), and Cheena (Proso Millet); and

(ii) Small or minor millets such as Kodra (Kodo Millet), Sama (Barnyard Millet), Hari Kagni (Browntop Millet), and Kutki (Little Millet).

Often regarded as ‘nutri-cereals’ or ‘dryland-cereals’, millets are mainly grown on marginal lands in dry areas of tropical, sub-tropical, and temperate regions, i.e., sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. They are integral to the cultures and traditions of native people along with providing food security to them.

Millet can be regarded as a ‘smart food’ in that it is beneficial not only for producers (farmers) and consumers but also for our planet.

Significance of Millet

Very nutritious Compared to wheat and rice, millet is more nutritious because of having higher protein content, more roughage, and adequate amino acid. As compared to other cereals, the dietary fibre content of millet is considerably high. It can also be used for therapeutic purposes as it has certain phytochemicals with anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties.
Beneficial for health It is rich in fibre, non-starchy polysaccharides, and minerals like calcium, iron, manganese, potassium, zinc, and magnesium. It also has Vitamin B Complex. Having a low glycaemic index and being gluten-free, it is an apt choice for the obese, the diabetic, and people with other lifestyle issues. It can be consumed by women and children to recover from nutritional deficiency.
Ecologically sustainable Chemical fertilisers are not required for cultivating millets. Since pests generally do not attack millets, pesticides are also not necessary for their growth.
Unaffected by climate change Millets are an easy-to-grow crop. They can be grown in dry lands (drought-prone areas) and in high temperatures of up to 50 °C and in poor quality soil. They are strong and climate-resistant crops, with negligible carbon and water footprint.

For all the above reasons, they are termed ‘miracle grains’ or ‘crops of the future’.

Production of Millets in India and the World

In India, the average yield of millets is around 1,239 kg/ha, while the average yield of millets globally is 1,229 kg/ha. India accounts for 80 per cent of the total production of millets in Asia, while 20 per cent of the total production of millets in the world. That is, over 170 lakh tonnes of millets is produced in India.

India is considered the largest producer of millets in the world, growing all nine commonly known millets. India is ranked as the fifth-largest exporter of millets in the world. In 2021–22, there was 27 per cent increase in millet production in India as compared to the previous year. The main millet-producing states in India are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu. The major millets produced in India are: Pearl millet, 60 per cent; Sorghum, 27 per cent; Finger millet, 11 per cent; and Small millets, 2 per cent. As per Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), six states–Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana account for 79.6 per cent of total millet production.

India mainly exports millets to Nepal, the UK, the USA, Tunisia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Libya, and the UAE. The major producers of millet in the world are India, Sudan, Niger, and Nigeria. The exported millet varieties include Bajra, Buckwheat, Canary, Jawar, and Ragi.

Significant Government Initiatives

In the past few years, the production of millets has enhanced considerably due to the several measures taken by the government such as revising MSP (minimum support price) to motivate farmers to grow millets in larger areas, using advanced farming techniques which will maintain the demand-supply balance. As a result, there has been a significant rise in the MSP of millets over the years.

Some other major government initiatives with regard to millet production and consumption are as follows:

In the beginning of 2018, the government declared millets as ‘Nutri-Cereals’, considering the high nutrition level of millets.
With the launch of the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) programme, a sub-mission NFSM Nutri-Cereals has been implemented in all districts of 28 states and 2 union territories (Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh). The farmers across the country are made aware of the Nutri-cereals with the help of training and demonstration by government authorities. It supports formation of farmer producer organisations (FPOs), Centres of Excellence, and seed hubs for Shree Anna (branding of millets in India).
An all-inclusive strategy to enhance the export of Indian millets throughout the globe was formed by the APEDA, the main agricultural export promotion body of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. This strategy was implemented in 2022 to facilitate the shipment of millets.
In December 2021, NITI Aayog entered into a partnership with the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) by signing a Statement of Intent (SoI). Under this partnership, emphasis was laid on placing millets into the mainstream. Besides, the UN encouraged India to be in charge of sharing knowledge across the world by using the global platform during the celebration of the IYM 2023.
Research and development is used by the government to propagate the benefits of Nutri-cereals. Start-ups and other entrepreneurs are also getting the government support to create millet recipes and value-added products to promote consumption of millets. Between 2018 and 2022, the government released as many as eight bio-fortified varieties of Bajra.
Post-harvest value addition was done with the help of the government support. This locally increased the consumption of millets. The government was also supported the branding of millets (or their products), nationally and internationally.
On December 20th, 2022, a Special Millets Lunch was organised in the Parliament courtyard for the MPs. Specially-curated, this millet buffet was meant to demonstrate the wide-ranging delicacies of a variety of millets and encourage millets consumption in the country and around the world.
Around 30 e-catalogues have been composed targeting certain countries by the Centre. These catalogues consist of useful information related to different millets produced in India and a collection of their value-added products. Besides, it includes the list of start-ups, importers, regular exporters, FPOs, etc. These catalogues are circulated among importers, exporters, stakeholders, start-ups, and Indian embassies in other countries.
There are over 500 start-ups functioning in the value-added chain of millets. Besides, under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana-Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sector Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR), around 250 start-ups have been launched by the Indian Institute of Millets Research. The export of millet products has been consistently increasing in India, with around US$ 27 million and US$ 34.32 million in 2020–21 and 2021–22, respectively.
The Department of Food and Public Distribution has made it necessary to introduce millet delicacies in the canteens and during the meetings held in all the offices in order to support the consumption of millets. Schemes like Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS) and Mid-Day Meal Scheme have revised guidelines to increase the procurement of Shree Anna under these programmes.
Under the PM Poshan Scheme, all the state governments and UT administrations have been asked by the Centre to introduce dishes made of millets to improve the nutrition level among children, particularly in the regions where millet is accepted culturally.
States like Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh have initiated their own missions to promote millets.
The Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, has been declared as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research and technologies related to millets.
Other schemes include Eat Right India campaign by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Millet Based Products (PLISMBP), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund Scheme (which offers interest subvention on loans up to 2 crores for millets primary processing units), and One District One Product (ODOP) initiative (millet and its products are identified as ODOP in 19 districts of 10 states).
Some other initiatives include promotion of millets during India’s G20 presidency, International Trade Fair, Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference, held in March 2023, and Surajkund Mela. Millets Experience Centre (MEC) is opened at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, to raise awareness and encourage adoption of millets among the general public.

Conclusion

Due to the ever-increasing global population, the agrifood systems around the world are unable to meet the demand for food. Being resilient cereals, millets are a good option for feeding the huge populace. With high content of nutrients, they are available at a reasonable price. Therefore, more efforts should be made to increase their production around the world.

With the celebration of the IYM 2023, the necessary initiative has been taken by the UN to bring more land into the cultivation of millets across the globe. As India is the largest producer of millets in the world, it is leaving no stone unturned in implementing extensive measures to promote the importance of millets and develop its domestic and global demand.