The United Nations has declared 2023 the International Year of the Millet, following a suggestion by India, which desire to position itself as a global hub for millets.
The project, which will be implemented over a three-year period, aims to promote millet cultivation, increase their value addition, and create entrepreneurship opportunities for farmers. Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, stated.
He also stated that the initiative aims to raise awareness about the nutritional value of millets, which are high in proteins, micronutrients, and phytochemicals.
"Amid mounting awareness and prominence of millets, their production and consumption is still limited and there are several challenges that need to be addressed. One of the major challenges is a lack of awareness and knowledge about millets among farmers and consumers," Dulloo explained.
Many farmers are still unaware of the benefits of millet cultivation and continue to struggle with high-input crops, resulting in soil fertility and water resource depletion, he said, adding that these are the issues that this ambitious initiative seeks to address.
Millets are known as "miracle grains" or "future crops" due to their resistance to climate change. They can grow in drought-prone areas and do not require a lot of water or other inputs, making them an ideal crop for small-scale farmers in Jammu and Kashmir, according to him.
