With millets exports increasing by 14%, the government's agri export promotion body, APEDA, has decided to focus on shipments of its organic variety in order to meet the target of at least Rs 2,000 crore export by FY26. Millets exports were estimated to be worth Rs.460 crore in 2021-22.
"We intend to exceed Rs 2,000 crore by 2025-26 by supplying value-added and processed organic millet products to at least 100 countries," said M Angamuthu, Chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA). He stated that APEDA has created a catalogue of millet products specific to each country in order to promote and facilitate export and international trade.
He believes that with a concerted effort to increase the area under millet cultivation, the use of technology and packaging for value-added products, and the implementation of a promotional programme, the export can be greatly increased.
An official stated that the entire export is of organic nature by default, and that the need is to bring these products under the certification process so that they can enter the international market. Certified organic millets are primarily produced in Karnataka and Rajasthan, with some quantities also produced in Uttarakhand.
Organic millets include sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), and ragi. Though a large quantity has not been commercially produced as organic, processed millets are exported from the country as organic. Millet is being exported as organic flour, flakes, and whole grain to South America, Europe, the United States, Canada, and New Zealand. Millet consumption as a direct food has decreased significantly in India as a result of policies centred on Green Revolution-led food security since the 1960s.
"The market demand for value-added millets increases when they are also certified as organic." According to APEDA officials, the market acceptance of organic millet-based products can be increased through the appropriate use of processing technologies for the development of value-added products because they have unique nutritional properties that make them superior to other cereals.
Because millets are already popular and widely consumed in African countries, the introduction of new varieties and processed forms may entice consumers, according to officials. APEDA hopes to see organic millet-based products partially replace popular rice-based foods in South Asia.
"It takes time to change one's eating habits and adapt to new products." Massive promotional activities for millet-based products have been proposed, aimed at potential markets such as the UAE, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Korea, the United States, Europe, and South Africa, according to Angamuthu.
