Millets: For a great future
Updated on: April 09, 2024
Indian millets are a group of nutritiously rich, drought tolerant and mostly grown in the arid and semi-arid regions of India.
Indian Millets are nutritionally superior to wheat and rice as they are rich in protein, vitamins and minerals. They are also gluten-free and have a low glycemic index, making them ideal for people with celiac disease or diabetes.
India is among the top 5 exporters of millets in world. World export of millet has increased from $400 million in 2020 to $470 million in 2021 (ITC trade map) India exported millets worth $75.46 million in the year 2022-23, against $62.95 million in 2021-22. Share of Millet based value added products is negligible.
Indian Millet Production Scenario:
Millet is a type of grain that is popular in many parts of the world, especially in Africa and Asia. It is a staple food in many parts of the world, particularly in Africa and Asia. According to the World Food Programme, there are an estimated 1.2 billion people who consume millet as a part of their diet.
Millet production has remained relatively stable over the past few years, with an estimated production of 28 million metric tons in 2020. The majority of millet is produced in Africa, followed by Asia. India is the largest producer of millet, followed by Niger and China. Other major millet- producing countries include Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal. While millet is not a major food crop in the developed world, it plays a vital role in the diets of many people in developing countries. Millet is a drought-tolerant crop that can be grown in dry, arid climates where other crops would fail. It is also a nutritious grain that is high in fiber and essential minerals. For these reasons, millet will continue to be an important food crop in the years to come.
In India, millet production has been on the rise in recent years. India is one of the largest producers of millets & Indian farmers have been increasingly planting millet as a drought-resistant crop. The Indian government has also been promoting millet production as part of its National Food Security Mission. As a result of these factors, millet production in India is expected to continue to grow in the coming years and now a days government has celebrated the international millet year 2023 to aware the people about the potential of millets and how to use it in a daily life,which makes our life more healthier.
Kunal Sain
Asst.Professor,FHTM
SGT University, Gurugram
