Chapter: 1 - International year of millets 2023

• Prime minister message during the opening session of international year of millets : Diversity is needed on the land. Our health and the health of our soils are both impacted if agriculture turns into a monoculture. Millets are an effective approach to broaden dietary and agricultural diversity.

• It is possible for organisations and people to have a significant impact. Individuals can make environmentally and health-conscious decisions by include millets in their diets, even while institutional mechanisms can promote millet production and make it viable through legislative initiatives. I have no doubt that a widespread movement towards a safe, sustainable, and healthy future will get underway during the International Year of Millets in 2023.

Introduction

• The International Year of Millets will be celebrated in 2023, largely due to India's persistent efforts in this area.

• Due to their enormous potential and connection with the UN Sustainable Development Goals as crops that are climate change resistant, nutrient-rich, and water-efficient, millets have received special attention from the Indian government.

• It will aid in spreading awareness around the globe about millets' ,substantial contribution to sustainable agriculture and their advantages as nutritious superfoods.

• In order to promote millets as a significant part of the food basket, it will present a special opportunity to boost global production, assure efficient processing and consumption, stimulate improved connectedness throughout food systems, and encourage better use of crop cycles.

Facts

• With an output of more than 170 ,000,000 tonnes, or more than 80% of the millets produced in Asia, India is positioned to become the world's leading producer of millets.

• Over 131 countries grow it, and 60 crore people in Asia and Africa eat it as their traditional food.

• One of the first plants to be domesticated for sustenance, the earliest evidence for these grains dates to the Indus Valley civilization.

Why there is need to focus on millets ?

• A once-in-a-century pandemic and a post-pandemic war environment have demonstrated that global food security is still a problem. The availability of food can be impacted by climate change.

• Millets are drought- and climate-resistant and simple to grow.

• They are a great source of balanced nutrients for consumers and are beneficial to growers, consumers, and the environment. As they require less water and are compatible with organic agricultural methods, they are advantageous to both farmers and the environment.

Sustainable development goal and international year of millets

• The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in particular SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on land) are the goals that IYM 2023 seeks to support .

• Millets can be grown sustainably to aid in climate-resilient agriculture which is related with SDG 15(Life on Land) with SDG 13 (Climate Action)

• Because they can grow on arid soils with little input or maintenance, and they  are tolerant of or resistant to diseases and pests, and are more resilient to climate shocks than other cereals there for millets are frequently referred to as climate-resilient crops.

• SDG 2 (End Hunger):Millets may be produced sustainably to help with food security, nutrition, and the fight against hunger .

• Millets can aid in reducing food shortages, improving disadvantaged populations' nutrition and food security.

• Millets do not significantly deplete soil nutrients and can grow in both very fertile and poor soils in dryland environments. They assist support to biodiversity and sustainable land restoration by supplying land cover in arid places, which slows down further soil deterioration.

• SDG3 (Good health and well being :A healthy diet can include millets,

• Millets are a wonderful source of protein, fibre, antioxidants, and minerals. They are a suitable option for persons with high blood sugar because they have a low glycaemic index.

• SDG8:More people eating millets may present chances for smallholder farmers to enhance their standard of living, in line with SDG 8. (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

• By marketing millets and reclaiming market share, new revenue channels can be generated, hence fostering economic growth.

• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Development) and SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production) can both benefit from the increased millets trade by increasing the diversity of the global food chain

• Less than 3% of the world's grain trade is made up of millets, including sorghum. Millets are a good choice to boost output diversity and reduce risks associated with production shocks, which is necessary to increase the resilience of global commerce and its capacity to respond to rapid changes in the foodgrain market.

Way Ahead

• In order to guarantee stability and sustainability, it is crucial that the market structure and prices for millets remain transparent.

• In order to increase millet's added value along the grain value chain and, as a result, the opportunity for producers to earn more money, it is crucial to ensure that millet traders have access to the same tools as other grain traders, such as digitalization.