Institutional impetus to make India global millet hub

Last Updated03/02/2023

Terming it as “shree anna”, the Union Budget accorded high priority to millets with Union Finance Minister announcing that institutional impetus will be given to make India a global hub for these nutritious grains.
Indian Institute of Millet Research – Hyderabad, will be supported as Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research and technologies at the international level.

About: A collective term referring to a number of small-seeded annual grasses cultivated as grain crops, primarily on marginal lands in dry areas in temperate, subtropical and tropical regions.
Common millets in India: Ragi (Finger millet), Jowar (Sorghum), Sama (Little millet), Bajra (Pearl millet), and Variga (Proso millet).
Grown in about 131 countries: It is the traditional food for around 60 crore people in Asia & Africa.
Global Distribution: India, Nigeria and China account for more than 55% of the global production
Largest producers: India, Nigeria and China account for more than 55% of the global production.

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Nutritional Security: cheap and more nutritious. For E.g. Ragi has the highest calcium content and high iron content and can fight the high prevalence of anaemia.
Climate Resilient: they are known as hardy and drought-resistant crops. They require much less water than rice and wheat and are mainly grown in rainfed areas.
Economic Security: low investment for inputs
Fights Health Issues: Millets are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index (glucose level) and therefore can help in tackling lifestyle problems and health challenges such as obesity and diabetes.
Have anti- aging and antioxidant properties