"A revolution is on the way, as people have been participating in both campaigns. Just as people have made yoga and fitness a part of their lives by actively participating on a large scale, people are adopting millet on a large scale," the Prime Minister said today on the 97th edition of Mann ki Baat.
"Yoga is also related to health, and millets play an important role in health," Prime Minister Modi said. The Indian government, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, spearheaded a United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution to declare 2023 the International Year of Millets, and the proposal was supported by 72 countries. In March 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 to be the International Year of Millets. On January 1, 2023, the International Year of Millets 2023 officially began.
PM Modi cited Raigad's Millet Cafe in Chhattisgarh as an example of how people are incorporating millets into their diet. This change has had a significant impact. Small farmers who traditionally produced millets are very excited about this initiative because they now feel empowered, he said.
He further coined the term "Milletpreneurs" and remarked, "Odisha's Milletpreneurs are making headlines, a self-help group of about 1,500 women of the tribal district Sundargarh is associated with Odisha Millets Mission. They use the millets to make biscuits, cakes, and other foods. PM Modi also mentioned the names of other "Milletpreneurs" and how millet production has been a source of income for small farmers.
"A resident of the Nandyal district of Andhra Pradesh, KV Rama Subba Reddy left a well-paying job for millet. The flavour of millet made by mother's hands was so strong that she established a millet processing plant in her village. Similarly, Sharmila Oswal of Kenad village near Alibaug in Maharashtra has been contributing to millet production in a unique way for the last 20 years," PM Modi said. The Prime Minister expressed his delight in the first Mann Ki Baat programme of the year about how people have been enjoying various millet-based eateries.
He stated that people enjoy the khakra, biscuits, and laddoos produced by the Aland Bhootai (Aland Bhutai) Millets Farmers Producer Company in Kalaburgi, Karnataka, under the supervision of the Indian Institute of Millets Research. He also mentioned a Farmers Producer Organization, highlighting one in Chhattisgarh's Bilaspur that produces eight types of millets flour and dishes.
PM Modi also mentioned in his speech that several millet-based dishes are being served during the country's G20 summits. From December 1, 2022 to November 30, 2023, India will preside over the G20. The 43 Heads of Delegation, the most ever in the G20, will attend the final New Delhi Summit in September.
It is worth noting that India is a global leader in millet production, with an area of approximately 12.5 million hectares and a share of more than 15% of total production. The major millets producing states are Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has so far succeeded in developing many bio-fortified varieties and novel products for the benefit of farmers and society at large through its Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR).
