International Year of Millets- 2023
To combat food insecurity and malnutrition, awareness needs to be created at both commercial and household levels regarding the impact of processing methods on the nutritional properties of millets and the health benefits of millets. — Vinod Johri
The world has accepted, followed and adopted our Puranic wisdom of Yajurveda in respect of superfood “nutricereals” Millets grown for thousands of years and used as staple diet until advent of wheat and rice. One of the oldest cultivated grains in the world but largely confined to rural and tribal populations, the superfood millets are increasingly being brought to the mainstream by the Government as well as business enterprises. The history of millets dates back to more than 5,000 years where the ancient grain was produced and consumed by farmers living in nomadic communities. From its cultivation in the Korean peninsula dating to the Middle Jeulmun Pottery Period (around 3,500–2,000 BC), millet consumption in Bharat is clearly mentioned in the oldest Yajurveda texts.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted a resolution declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. This reveals the importance of millets and their global role in strengthening food security.
Agriculture with its allied sectors, is the largest source of livelihood in Bharat. About 70% of the country’s rural households still depend primarily on agriculture for their livelihood, with 82% of the farmers being small and marginal. The millets are a rich source of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals. At the same time, they are hardy grains that require a third of the water required by rice. Therefore, in our context, prioritizing millets will immensely benefit our farmers and environment for various reasons. Even though millets can grow in drought-prone regions, especially Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Karnataka, 1 kg of millets requires over 200 litres of water as compared to 10 times for rice. The amount of rice produced through heavy subsidies on power for irrigation and low urea prices imply exporting at least 40-50 billion cubic metres of water. The quality that sets millets apart from other grains is their short growing season, and millets can develop from seeds to ready-to-harvest crops in just about 65 days. If stored properly, millets can keep well for two years or beyond. Rice cultivation is fast depleting the water table and emitting methane and nitrous oxide. Farmers need to be sensitised and incentivised to switch to other crops and get better returns. We should create a carbon market and reward the farmers who are emitting less carbon dioxide into the environment. The majority of states sell rice and wheat as staples as they have more than 90% subsidy under the public distribution system (PDS). The economic cost of rice is around Rs 35 per kg and wheat is about Rs 25 per kg, while rice is being sold via the PDS at Rs 3 per kg and wheat at Rs 2 per kg. Therefore, there is no reason why will people go for millets.
Nutritional profile of millets in comparison with cereals (per 100 g).
Grains Energy Protein Carbohy- Starch Fat Dietary Minerals calcium Phosphorus
(kcal) (g) drate (g) (g) (g) Fiber (g) (g) (mg) (mg)
Sorghum 334 10.4 67.6 59 1.9 10.2 1.6 27 222
Pearl millet 363 11.6 61.7 55 5 11.4 2.3 27 296
Finger millet 320 7.3 66.8 62 1.3 11.1 2.7 364 283
Proso millet 341 12.5 70.0 - 1.1 - 1.9 14 206
Foxtail millet 331 12.3 60.0 - 4.3 - 3.3 31 290
Kodo millet 353 8.3 66.1 64 1.4 6.3 2.6 15 188
Little millet 329 8.7 65.5 56 5.3 6.3 1.7 17 220
Barnyard millet 307 11.6 65.5 - 5.8 - 4.7 14 121
Maize 334 11.5 64.7 59 3.6 12.2 1.5 8.9 348
Wheat 321 11.8 64.7 56 1.5 11.2 1.5 39 306
Rice 353 6.8 74.8 71 0.5 4.4 0.6 10 160
The following types of millets are recognized in our country:
Major millets: 1. Sorghum (Jowar), 2. Pearl Millet (Bajra), 3. Finger Millet (Ragi)
Small millets: 1. Barnyard Millet (Sanwa), 2. Proso Millet (Chena), 3. Foxtail Millet (Kakum), 4. Kodo Millet (Kodon), 5. Little Millet (Kutki)
Pseudo millets: 1. Amaranth (Rajgira), 2. Buckwheat (Kuttu).
We fondly relish nutrient-rich bajra (pearl millet) khichdi served with red channa, vegetables, onion pickle, garlic chutney and papad, Makke di roti with sarson da saag and religiously adopt Kuttu poori or parantha during Navratras in our fasting days.
While the rural population in our country consumes millets, many urban consumers are largely unaware of its nutritive quality. We look for fibre-rich, probiotic, magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, protein, naturally gluten-free food but we also need to look into natural products like millets which are underrated but are a powerhouse of nutrients. They are gluten-free and notably rich in phenolic phytochemicals. The insoluble fibre works like a probiotic that supports the good bacteria, which helps in the digestion of food. Millets also provide essential amino acids to build protein and act as antioxidants to protect our body from the harmful oxidative stress. Research indicates that as a result of the high levels of flavonoid-type phenolics in millets, regular consumption of millet foods could help prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Other potential Trusted Source health benefits of millets include:
- Suppressing cancer cell growth
- Promoting wound healing
- Maintaining bone health
- Supporting antifungal and antimicrobial activity
Millets are usually processed before consumption to remove the inedible portions, extend the shelf life, and improve nutritional and sensory properties. Primary processing techniques such as dehulling, soaking, germination, roasting, drying, polishing and milling (size reduction) are followed to make millets fit for consumption. At the same time, modern or secondary processing methods such as fermenting, parboiling, cooking, puffing, popping, malting, baking, flaking, extrusion, etc., are used to develop millet-based value-added processed food products. Although these processing techniques aim to enhance the digestibility and nutrient bioavailability, a significant amount of nutrients are lost during subsequent processing.
The productivity (yield in kg/ha) of millets has gone up due to development and adoption of high yielding varieties and improved production technologies. Among the states, during 2017-18, maximum area under millets was in Rajasthan (4.2 million hectare; 56.6% of national area under pearl millet) followed by Maharashtra (2.2 m ha, 44.4% of national area under sorghum) and Karnataka (1.79 m ha, 21.6% of national area under sorghum, 65.2% national area under finger millet). In 2014-19, millets were annually cultivated in an area of 13.7 m ha producing 15.26 m ton of grains in the country. In 2019-20, the area under millet crops was about 12.68 m ha compared to 12.25 m ha during 2018-19.
As per the Union ministry of food processing industries, the production of millets increased from 14.52 million tonne in 2015-16 to 17.96 million tonne in 2020-21. The production of bajra (pearl millet) also increased from 8.07 million tonne to 10.86 million tonne during the same period. The production of bajra (pearl millet) also increased from 8.07 million tonne to 10.86 million tonne during the same period. Currently, India is the fifth largest exporter of millets in the world, according to 2020 data, with exports continuously increasing at around 3% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) in the last five years ending with 2020. In 2020-21, India exported millets worth $26.97 million against $28.5 million in 2019-20.
The Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) is disseminating technologies through signing MoUs and licensing to about 75 startups to train various entrepreneurs belonging to 10 states for about eight to nine years continuously with the funding of the department of agriculture, cooperation and farmers’ welfare (DAC& FW). In 2016, the IIMR launched ‘Eatrite’ in Hyderabad and Mumbai, a brand with processed and semi-processed food products exclusively made of sorghum under a price range of Rs 50-100. It was an instant success as the brand backed it with aggressive campaigning in food bazaar and heritage retail stores.
Although much needs to be done, some state governments have been actively promoting the production and consumption of millets. Karnataka has been distributing millets as part of PDS. Recently, it also piloted the introduction of millets in mid-day meals for school children. Odisha is also taking steps towards inclusion of millets in ICDS and PDS under its Odisha Millets Mission. Recently, in July 2020, Keonjhar district in Odisha launched ragi laddoos to be provided to children as morning snacks under ICDS.
Our government officials and sector experts at the Dubai Expo deliberated on opportunities for industry players to enhance the country’s export potential. The start-ups and farmer producer organisations (FPOs) should not only help in upscaling millets’ value chain, connecting to domestic and international markets but also create an inclusive framework where participation of producing communities is promoted.
Last year, Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research (ICAR-IIMR) to increase exports through quality production and processing is anticipated to boost value addition and farmers’ income.
The government is promoting the production of millets in a mission mode under the National Food Security Mission. The central government accepted the introduction of millets under the Public Distribution System (PDS) to improve nutrition security among the poor in 2018, although its implementation depends upon the states’ decisions. The NITI Aayog has also been pushing for introduction of millets in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme and mid-day meal scheme.
To combat food insecurity and malnutrition, awareness needs to be created at both commercial and household levels regarding the impact of processing methods on the nutritional properties of millets and the health benefits of millets.qq
Source: Financial Express, National Library of Medicine (National Centre for Biotechnology Information), Outlook Poshan 2.0, Medical News Today, New Phytologist Foundation
Vinod Johri: Retd Additional Commissioner of Income Tax, Delhi
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