On Sunday, Jaishankar told members of the Indian diaspora in Austria's capital that India can grow millets, which can help meet the world's growing food demand. The government announced a series of millet-related promotional activities across the country as the International Year of Millets (IYM) begins.
"Millets are far healthier for all of us than the cereals, rice, and wheat we eat every day. It was the most common food in our societies until it was displaced. It uses a lot less water and emits a lot less carbon. In today's world, where there is concern about food shortages, millet provides a completely different value proposition. In fact, for every five kilogrammes of wheat grown in India today, one kilogramme of millets is grown and consumed," Jaishankar explained.
Millets were one of the first crops to be domesticated in India, with evidence of their consumption dating back to the Indus Valley civilization. Millet is now grown in over 130 countries and is considered a traditional food for over half a billion people in Asia and Africa.
"We have the ability to grow it. It provides a solution to many of our rising food demands. Not only us, but also many countries in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Middle East," said Jaishankar, who arrived in Austria from Cyprus on the second leg of his two-country tour.
Millets are primarily a Kharif crop in India, necessitating less water and agricultural inputs than other similar staples. Millets are significant because of their enormous potential to generate livelihoods, increase farmer income, and ensure global food and nutritional security. Millets are also an important part of the G-20 meetings, and delegates will get a real millet experience by tasting, meeting farmers, and participating in interactive sessions with start-ups and FPOs.
"We hope to do, and are already doing, during our G20 presidency that every foreign visitor I receive in India or the Prime Minister receives in India, a substantial part of the meal today is millet-based," Jaishankar said. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization hosted an opening ceremony for the IYM in Rome, Italy on December 6. In the Parliament complex, the Indian government hosted a special 'Millet Luncheon' for Members of Parliament.
India has prioritized millets because of their enormous potential, which also aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Millets were rebranded as "Nutri Cereals" in April 2018, and the year 2018 was designated as the National Year of Millets.
The UN declaration of IYM 2023 has helped India to be at the forefront of millet year celebrations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a "people's movement" alongside positioning India as the "Global hub of millets". The global millets market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2021 and 2026.
