The most recent data from NITI Aayog demonstrates how states are encouraging millets in diets.
A new report, Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India, by NITI Aayog is out and outlines a number of effective and cutting-edge strategies used by state governments, businesses, and organisations in the production, processing, and consumption of millet. The report is organised around three themes - State missions and programmes to promote millets; the inclusion of millets in ICDS; and research, development, and technology utilisation for novel practices. The paper will act as a reference point for reintroducing and mainstreaming millets into our diets.
The report was released by NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman K. Bery in the presence of Member (Health) V.K. Paul, Member (Agriculture) Ramesh Chand and CEO B. V. R. Subrahmanyam.
Aditi Rout, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ms. Deepa Anand, Deputy Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy; and Senior Advisor, NITI Aayog, Rajib Sen, were also present at the launch.
Speaking on the occasion, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman K. Bery said, “The release of the publication is very timely. The Hon'ble Prime Minister has provided strategic leadership in raising the importance of millets. Slowly, there have been shifts in diets that are linked to environmental sustainability and health impacts, and people are now beginning to appreciate the medicinal, nutritional, and anti-inflammatory value of millets. As a way forward, we need to leverage the power of branding and marketing to popularize millets as a super food and make it fashionable”.
Member of NITI Aayog, V.K. Paul said, “Millets are nutritionally wholesome crops. Having a document of this nature is vital as it will give confidence to people and those engaged in millets who look at data, evidence, and practices to mainstream millets in our diets and systems”.
Member NITI Aayog, Ramesh Chand said, “Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has taken personal interest in giving millets a respectable status both nationally and globally. This Report comprehensively covers good practices in policy, state missions and research & development and technological innovations to boost millets which will help in capturing people’s imagination of millets”
CEO B. V. R. Subrahmanyam said, “Millets were a very common part of our diets. However, our dietary patterns have slowly shifted more towards rice and wheat. With the rise in non-communicable diseases like diabetes, millets are coming back into our diets. There is an immense potential of millets in nutritional security of the nation. Our Hon’ble Prime Minister has played a vital role in mainstreaming millets and this compendium will further contribute to the same”.