United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet. The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization has endorsed India’s proposal to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets…
Initiative
In 2018 the government of India decided to mark the National Year of Millets. In the same year, the government also notified millets as nutri-cereals and included them under the POSHAN Mission Abhiyan.
India pitched the proposal to United Nations for declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets. India’s initiative to promote millet was recognized and United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
Milletts
Millet, a grain mainly grown and consumed in developing countries until recently and once considered a poor man’s staple, is quickly becoming a favourite globally among those affected by climate change because of its ability to thrive in harsh and arid environments. Its drought-resistant quality makes it attractive as many parts of the world begin to experience a water supply shortage.
It is a proud moment for Indian farmers as India is the largest producer of Millets in the world accounting for 20 % of global production and 80 % of Asia’s production.
The aim for 2023 is to increase awareness about Millet in food security and nutrition and also to encourage investments in research and development
Superfood
Millets have been an integral part of our diet for centuries. In addition to a plethora of health benefits, millets are also good for the environment with low water & input requirement.
Millets are called the super grain because of their high nutritional value. According to the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) millets are high in dietary fibre. Specifically, millet contains 7-12 % protein, 2-5 % fat, 65-75% carbohydrates and 15-20% dietary fibre. Due to their high density of nutrients including vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and dietary fibre, millets are also excellent grains to alleviate malnutrition and micronutrient deficiency. Additionally, millets do not require high-quality soil to grow and hence can easily cater to the need of the growing population.
The nutritional value of millets makes it even more relevant globally in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Prospects
2023 will provide an opportunity to increase global production, efficient processing and better use of crop rotation and promote millets as a major component of the food basket
Asia and Africa are the primary production and consumption centres of millet crops. India, Niger, Sudan and Nigeria are the primary producers of millet.
Organizations like the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), are investing in and developing a strand of Pearl Millet with greater resistance to drought and disease to address climate change and the myriad of new challenges it is presenting.
In addition to millet’s attractive growth characteristics, it is one of the most nutritious and anti-allergenic grains available. Millet is gluten-free, making it an excellent choice for the millions of people around the world who suffer from Celiac disease or have a gluten sensitivity. It is high in B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, and fats. And it’s an excellent source of protein and dietary fiber.
Millet production is projected to sharply increase due to its many health benefits and ability to grow in a variety of climates. In India and Africa can be high-iron pearl millet superfood to combat malnutrition. Millets can play a key role in achieving that objective, and it is hoped that by declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets, more attention will be paid to this important grain. India has an opportunity to lead the world towards Superfood.
–Dr Siddhivinayak Barve
Editor, ScienceNow Digital
