In India, millets were traditionally consumed, but due to the push given to food security through Green Revolution in the 1960s, millets were rendered as ‘orphan crops’ – less consumed and almost forgotten. Before the Green Revolution, millets made up around 40% of all cultivated grains, which has dropped to around 20% over the years.
Not only has the consumption of millets declined, but the area under production has been replaced with commercial crops, oilseeds, pulses, and maize. These commercial crops are profitable, and their production is supported by several policies through subsidized inputs, incentivized procurement, and inclusion in the Public Distribution System. This has resulted in changes in dietary patterns with preferential consumption of fine-calorie-rich cereals.
On the occasion of Republic Day, know about millet and the health benefits of this nutrition-rich millet.
This Republic Day, know about Asia's most widely grown Foxtail millet and know about the health benefits of Foxtail millet.
India is the biggest producer of barnyard millet with average productivity of 1034 kg/ha during the last 3 years.
This Republic Day, know about Little Millet, a traditional crop grown across India, and its nutritional value.
This Republic Day, know about the Finger Millet calcium-rich and nutritional value of Finger Millet.
This Republic Day, know about Pearl millet and its nutritional value of the Pearl Millet.