India's big push for millets and a growing economy around the grain

India’s Millet Push: India’s millet exports are on a steady rise. The country exported millets worth $75.46 million in the year 2022-23 against $62.95 million in 2021-22. A global push for the grain was also witnessed at the recently concluded G20 meet. Millets are being seen in a new light across the world as an answer for food scarcity. The United Nations accepted India’s proposal to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYoM-2023) to increase awareness about the health and nutritional benefits of millets.

According to the International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), more than 90 million people in Africa and Asia depend on millet in their diet. Millets are also staple food for millions of in drought-prone Africa.

Impact of government’s push to millet-based businesses

While talking to Republic about the impact Surendra Gandharva and Manoj Prajapat, Co-Founders of Millets of Mewar, the World’s first restaurant dedicated to traditional Millet recipes underlined millet's significance in our lives. Gandharva said, “We initiated millet experimentation in 2005, opening the world's first millet restaurant, Millets of Mewar, in 2011. Millets are deeply rooted in our heritage, from Maharana Pratap to Mewar's legacy; they've always been a vital part of our diet.

Surendra Gandharva and Manoj Prajapat, Co-Founders of Millets of Mewar | Image credit: Millets of Mewar

“The government's emphasis on millets has taken them globally, promising significant industry growth. In this era of prioritising healthy eating, millets provide the answer we seek. Reverting to millets is a step towards restoring the damage we've inflicted on nature," Prajapat added.

Gandharva also cited a local proverb ‘Jaso Ann Vaso Mann’  which translates to ‘we are what we eat’ to underline the significance of millet in our regular diet. 

Aanchal Saxena and Himanshu Mishra, Co-Founders of Mad Over Millets, a Noida-based millet cookies startup, also talked to Republic, sharing their views on the Government’s push to millet on a global stage. 

“The increase in millet exports from India is a positive development and reflects the growing global demand for these nutritious and versatile crops, to name a few Pearl Millets, Kudo, Foxtail millet, Barnyard millet and many more,” Aanchal Saxena said. 

Aanchal Saxena and Himanshu Mishra, Co-Founders of Mad Over Millets | Image credit: Mad Over Millets

Himanshu Mishra said, “From social media channels to inviting popular chefs to events such as the World Food India event highlighting Millets as a Hero product, the government is truly doing its best to create awareness and adoption of millets.”

“Startups like us (Mad Over Millets) - are also contributing towards the adoption and appreciation to our country’s produce by creating Healthy yet Tasty Millet Super Cookies. We are taking them to the people directly awareness events & artisanal markets. We have been able to build confidence in people that millets do taste well and can be easily incorporated in our daily lives,” added Mishra.

Production and types of millets in India

According to the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), in 2020, India played a significant role in global millet production, with Pearl Millet contributing to 40.51 per cent and Sorghum accounting for 8.09 per cent of the world's total millet production.

State-wise millet production in India 2021-2022 | Image credit: Republic

The leading millet-producing states in India include Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. These states collectively contributed approximately 98 per cent to India's millet production during the 2020-2021 period.

While on the international scale the United States (11 per cent), Nigeria (9 per cent), China (7 per cent), Ethiopia (7 per cent), Niger (6 per cent), Mexico (5 per cent), Mali (4 per cent), Sudan (4 per cent), and Brazil (3 per cent) are the other major producers of Millets. 

The government of India notified millets as Nutri-Cereals in April 2018, which includes Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl millet (Bajra), Finger millet (Ragi/Mandua) and minor millets namely; Foxtail millet (Kangani/Kakun), Proso millet (Cheena), Kodo millet (Kodo), Barnyard millet (Sawa/Sanwa/ Jhangora), Little millet (Kutki) and two pseudo -millets, namely, Buckwheat (Kuttu) and Amaranthus (Chaulai).

Advantages of millets

High nutrition value

Millets are highly nutritious grains that are rich in essential nutrients such as protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals. They are particularly high in iron, calcium, and magnesium. Millets can help address malnutrition and improve public health, especially in regions with high rates of micronutrient deficiencies.

Pearl millet cookies | Image credit: Millets of Mewar

According to Healthline, one cup of cooked millet packs 25 per cent of our daily phosphorus requirements, 19 per cent of magnesium requirements, 8 per cent of folate, and 6 per cent of iron requirements. Millets also have more essential amino acids when compared to other cereals. Apart from that, Finger millets have the highest calcium content than most other cereal grains.

Drought-resistant

Millets are also hardy, drought-resistant crops that require minimal water and can thrive in arid and semi-arid regions. According to the Observer Research Foundation, millets consume 70 per cent less water than rice and only grow half the time as wheat with 40 per cent less processing energy required. 

Country wise production of millet | Image credit: Republic

This makes them suitable for cultivation in areas with water scarcity or irregular rainfall patterns promoting sustainable agriculture. Increasing the consumption of millet can also reduce our reliance on a few staple crops like rice and wheat. This diversification can enhance the resilience of agricultural systems and reduce the risk of crop failures due to pests, diseases, or adverse weather conditions.

Lower carbon and water footprint

Millets have a relatively low carbon and water footprint compared to some other crops. According to the State of the World Water Report 2019 from WaterAid India, the water requirements of millet are on average 2.5 times lower than that of rice. 

Millet cultivation can provide livelihood opportunities for small and marginal farmers, especially in rainfed areas.

Embracing millet can bolster food security

Apart from the abovementioned advantages, Millets have been a traditional part of Indian diets for centuries and are an integral part of the cultural and culinary heritage of many regions. However, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, till the 1965-70 timeframe, millets formed 20 per cent of our foodgrain basket but are now down to 6 per cent.

Image credit: Unsplash

India dominates millet production with 41 per cent of the global share, however, the consumption of millet has been receding over the years. 

Encouraging the cultivation of millets can diversify cropping patterns and reduce the pressure on land and water resources caused by the overemphasis on a few major crops like rice and wheat.

Millets can be an important component of food security strategies, as they provide an alternative source of food and nutrition during times of food scarcity or emergencies.

“It is essential for India to continue supporting and promoting millet production to meet both domestic and international demands while contributing to global food security and nutrition,” Saxena said. 

Overall, the promotion of millets aligns with broader agricultural and nutritional goals, including sustainability, improved public health, and enhanced food security, making them an important focus for the Government of India's agricultural policies and programs.