The Government of India has sponsored the proposal for the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023, which has been accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). This has given the Indian Government the opportunity to celebrate the IYM and position India as the global hub for millets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shared his vision for the IYM to become a “People’s Movement”.
What are Millets?
Millets are small-seeded grasses that are often referred to as “Nutri-cereals”. Some common types of millets include sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), finger millet (ragi), little millet (kutki), foxtail millet (kakun), proso millet (cheena), barnyard millet (sawa), and kodo millet (kodon). These grains are a staple cereal crop for millions of smallholder dryland farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia and offer a variety of benefits such as nutrition, income, and livelihood for farmers. They can also be used for food, feed, fodder, biofuels, and brewing.
Significance and Benefits of Millets
Millets are nutritionally superior to wheat and rice due to their higher protein levels and a more balanced amino acid profile. They also contain various phytochemicals which have therapeutic properties due to their anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative properties. In addition to being climate resilient, millet grains are rich in nutrients like carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, and good-quality fat; minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, manganese, zinc, and B complex vitamins. Importantly, millet production does not depend on the use of chemical fertilizers, making it a sustainable and environmentally friendly option.
India’s Prioritization of Millets
- In April 2018, millets were rebranded as “Nutri Cereals” in India, and the year 2018 was declared as the National Year of Millets with the goal of increasing promotion and demand for these grains. The global millets market is expected to have a CAGR of 4.5% between 2021 and 2026.
- The Indian Government has recognized the significant potential of millets and has prioritized them, aligning with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In December 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations hosted the opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 in Rome, Italy, which was attended by a delegation of senior government officials from India.
- In the lead-up to the year-long celebration of the IYM, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in India hosted a special “Millet Luncheon” for Members of Parliament at the Parliament house.
Activities for the International Year of Millets
Several Indian ministries and states have planned activities for the IYM in January 2023. The Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has planned 15 activities over 15 days, including engaging sports persons, nutritionists, and fitness experts through video messages, conducting webinars on millets with leading nutritionists and dieticians, and promoting millets through the Fit India App.
The Ministry of Food Processing Industries will be organizing Millet Fair-cum-exhibitions in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) will hold Eat Right Melas in Punjab, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.
