India’s Global initiatives to promote millet consumption across the world

India’s Global initiatives to promote millet consumption across the world

Millets are a powerhouse of nutrition. These days, the awareness and intake of millet have improved as people have started adopting a healthy lifestyle. 

In 2018, India proposed 2023 as an International year for millets. The food and agriculture organization of the UN approved it and the United Nations general assembly declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’. This was adopted by a United Nation resolution. India took the lead and was successfully supported by over 70 nations.

The objective of the initiative:

1.   The main objective of the initiative was to create an awareness of the contribution of millet to food security and nutrition.

2.   To inspire stakeholders to improve the production and quality of all the millets.

3.   Get more investment in research services and the production of millets.

Have you been wondering what are millets?

Millets are the term used for the group of small-seeded grasses that are cultivated as a grain crop in marginal lands of the subtropical and tropical regions. These are also called Nutri-cereals for the high nutrition that they provide. Common millets easily available in India, are Ragi known as finger millet, Jowar commonly known as Sorghum, Sama widely known as little millet, Bajara commonly known as Pearl millet, and Variga known as Proso millet.

Studies show that there is evidence of these grains being found in the Indus civilization and it is one of the first plants domesticated for food. Grown in 131 countries, millet was the traditional food of around 60 crore people in Asia & Africa. India is the largest producer of millet and a farmer’s first choice as they are not only environment friendly but also require less maintenance and are a budget-friendly farming option. India produces 80% of Asia’s millet production and 20% of global production.

Did you know India, Nigeria, and China are the largest producers in the world, accounting for more than 60% of global production? For many years, India was a significant producer of millet, but now it's increased in Africa too.

Why is 2023 an International Year of Millet:

 It's declared as a year of millet because of the benefits it has,

1.   Nutrient-dense :

●    Millets are less expensive

●    More nutritious than wheat & rice as it is high in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

●    Millets are rich in iron, calcium, and magnesium. Especially Ragi which is the richest source of calcium.

●    Millets being nutrient dense helps to overcome nutritional deficiency, especially among children and women. The iron present in millet helps in fighting anemia which many Indian women of reproductive age and infants are facing. Anemia deficiency is also a problem that many developing countries are facing.

 2.   Gluten-free:

●    Millets are best for people with lifestyle disorders such as obesity, pcod, and diabetes as they are gluten-free and have a low glycemic index. It not only keeps people full for a longer time but also releases glucose slowly

●    It is the best choice for weight watchers, kids, and new moms who need more healing food, and going gluten-free is best for their health.

3.  Farmer’s first choice:


                ●    Millets are Photo-insensitive & resilient to climate change.

●    Millets can grow on poor soil.

●    Millets are less water-consuming and can grow under drought conditions also and also under non-irrigated conditions even in very low rainfall regimes.

●    Millets have a low carbon footprint and need less water.

The Indian Government has undertaken various initiatives to mark the International Year of Millets. They plan to increase awareness and consumption of millet around the world.

The government plans to showcase millets and their benefits at various International exhibitions, global conferences, and world symposiums.

 Studies of millet genetics and global case studies are being initiated under the initiative.

  The Indian embassies around the world will undertake events to showcase millets and food festivals.

Celebrity endorsements and engaging international food influencers

·        Engaging UN bodies such as World Food Programme, IFAD, and institutional donors.

As a company creating healthy snacks and millet-based food products, we are delighted to see the way millets are being promoted on a global scale. If you have not yet made the switch to millets, it’s time to think about it seriously. Include millets in your daily diet to improve diet diversity, nutrition, and a sustainable lifestyle. If you are looking for some healthy and delicious snacking items, do check out our products.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Environmental Friendly and naturally Organic, Millets are the new-age global grain

Image
In recent years, millets have made a powerful comeback. Since the declaration of "2023 as an “International Year of Millets” , people across the globe are making conscious efforts to include millets in their diets.  Millets are small-sized, round-shaped grains belonging to the Panacea family. They are ancient grains and we can find evidence of millet consumption in the prehistoric era too. Millets come in various varieties such as little millet, Kodo millet, Finger millet, and foxtail millet, etc. India itself has around seven popular millet varieties . Millets are environment-friendly grains and require less water and pesticides to grow and survive. Increasing millet production and consumption can be a great way to promote sustainable agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint on the environment. This is one of the reasons for millet to be considered as the new-age global grain. Read on to know more about the environmental benefits of millet and its role in providing foo...
Read more

All you need to know about ready to cook millets.

Image
We are busy people. Our routine life is often occupied with multiple personal and professional obligations. The hectic routine often leads to frantic stress and as a result, we tend to look for ready to cook alternatives.    As per a recent Femina India survey report, 85% of millennial working women do not cook at home and find it hard to take out time for preparing homemade meals for their families.  Nuclear families and lack of efficient cooking skills are other factors that demand convenient and easy-to-cook food options.  Nowadays, modern consumers are looking for options that take less time to cook and require less or minimum effort. However, it does not mean that they are ready to compromise on the nutrition quotient. They want quick yet healthy homemade meals that suit their busy lifestyle and fulfill the body’s nutritional requirements too.  Considering this aspect, ready-to-cook millets seem like a great option to prepare quick and healthy m...
Read more

7 Millet dessert recipes for healthier Indulgence in 2023

Image
Desserts are the fairy tales of the kitchen—a happily-ever-after to supper.” - Terri Guillemets.  Of course, desserts are tasty treats. Having dessert after the main meal is a common food tradition in many parts of the world, including India.  Though eating desserts is a great way to complete a meal and to satisfy our sweet cravings, most of the typical desserts are made of unhealthy ingredients like Maida, white sugar, etc., and may not be a healthy option to include in our routine diet. But what if you could convert your dessert obsession into a healthier indulgence?  Yes, we are talking about millet desserts.  Including millet desserts in your diet is a great way to enjoy everyday dessert recipes with a healthy twist. We are sharing 7 amazing millet dessert recipes that are perfect to satisfy your sweet cravings. Millet Cake Millet cake is one of the best dessert recipes made with millet. For making millet cake, you can either use mixed millet flou...
Read more