India’s Millet Revolution

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Millets have special nutritive properties (they are high in protein, dietary fibre, micronutrients and antioxidants) and special agronomic characteristics (drought-resistant and suitable for semi-arid regions).

Two groups of millets are grown in India. Major millets include sorghum, pearl millet and finger millet, while minor millets include foxtail, little millet, kodo, proso, and barnyard millet.

India’s Millet Revolution is driven by growing awareness of the health and environmental benefits of millets, as well as efforts to revive traditional agricultural practices and support small-scale farmers. It is seen as a solution to the country's dual challenges of improving public health and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Why are Millets Considered Important ‘Nutri-Cereals’?

• Climate Resilient Staple Food Crops:
  • Millets are drought-resistant, require less water and can grow in poor soil conditions. This makes them a suitable food crop for areas with unpredictable weather patterns and water scarcity.
• Rich in nutrients:
  • Millets are a good source of fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
• Gluten-free:
  • Millets are naturally gluten-free, making them suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
• Adaptable:
  • Millets can be grown in a variety of soils and climates, making them a versatile crop option for farmers.
• Sustainable:
  • Millets are often grown using traditional farming methods, which are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than modern, industrial farming practices.

What are the Constraints to Increased Millet Cultivation and Consumption?

• Decline in the Area Under Millet Cultivation:
  • Millets were earlier cultivated in an area of 35 million hectares of land. But it is now being grown in only 15 million hectares.
  • The reasons for a shift in land use include low yields, time-consuming and laborious tasks in the processing of millets which are undertaken by women.
    • Additionally, very little was marketed, and a tiny share of grain was processed into value-added products.
    • In 2019-20, the total offtake of cereals through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and also school meals was around 54 million tonnes.
    • If about 20% of rice and wheat were to be replaced by millet, the state would have to procure 10.8 million tonnes of millet.
• Low Productivity of Millets:
  • Over the last decade, the production of sorghum (jowar) has fallen, the production of pearl millet (bajra) has stagnated, and the production of other millets, including finger millet (ragi), has stagnated or declined.
• Lack of Awareness:
  • Many people in India are not aware of the health benefits of millets, leading to low demand.
• High Cost:
  • Millets are often priced higher than traditional cereals, making them less accessible to low-income consumers.
• Limited Availability:
  • Millets are not widely available in traditional and modern (e-commerce) retail markets, making it difficult for consumers to purchase them.
• Perceived Taste:
  • Some people believe that millets have a bland or unpleasant taste, which discourages them from consuming them.
• Agricultural Challenges:
  • The cultivation of millets is often associated with low yields and low profitability, which can discourage farmers from growing them.
• Competition from Rice and Wheat:
  • Rice and wheat are staple foods in India and are widely available, making it difficult for millets to compete in the market.
• Lack of Government Support:
  • India has not provided enough support to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets, which has limited their growth.

What should be the Way Forward?

• Adequate Public Support:
  • Small farmers in hilly regions and dryland plains who are among the poorest households in rural India will cultivate millets only if it gives them good returns.
  • Adequate public support can make millet cultivation profitable, ensure supply for the PDS, and, ultimately, provide nutritional benefits to a wide section of the population.
• Awareness and Education:
  • Lack of awareness about millets and their health benefits can be addressed through education and promotion.
• Availability and Accessibility:
  • Improving the availability of millets in markets and making them more accessible to consumers can encourage consumption.
• Affordability:
  • Millets are often more expensive than other staple grains, making them less accessible to low-income consumers. Addressing affordability through government subsidies or market interventions can increase consumption.
• Changing Perception:
  • The perception of millets as a poor man's food needs to be changed through marketing and promotion.
• Processing and Value-added Products:
  • Improving processing techniques and increasing the availability of value-added millet-based products can make them more appealing to consumers.
• Collaboration:
  • Collaboration between farmers, processors, and marketers can help increase the supply and demand of millets.

Drishti Mains Question What are the challenges in India's efforts to revive the cultivation and consumption of millets?