Superfood Revolution: Celebrating 2023 as the Year of Millets
Introduction: International Year of Millets 2023 –
Millets have been a staple of the Indian diet for many years. Millets have numerous health advantages in addition to being environmentally friendly due to their low water and input requirements. The United Nations, at the request of the Indian government, proclaimed 2023 the International Year of Millets with the goal of raising awareness and increasing millets' production and consumption. Members of the FAO Governing Bodies and delegates to the UNGA's 75th session supported it. The resolution designating the International Year of Millets received support from more than 70 countries.
The high nutritional value and other advantages of millets are why they are so popular right now. Millets are often referred to as "nutri-cereals" because of how nutritious they are. Hundreds of millions of people around the world rely on it as their primary source of food, but production is currently declining.
The IYM2023 campaign will be a chance to raise awareness of millets' nutritional and health benefits as well as their suitability for cultivation in difficult and changing climatic conditions. The Year's initiatives to promote millets' sustainable production as well as their potential to provide producers with new, sustainable market opportunities will also be highlighted.
What are Millets?
India's arid and semi-arid regions are mostly home to Indian millets, which are nutrient-dense and drought-tolerant. They are Poaceae grasses with small seeds. They are an important source of food and fodder for millions of resource-poor farmers in India, and they play an important role in the country's ecological and economic security. The Indian millets are also called coarse cereals or poor cereals. They have a variety of nutrients and are nutritionally superior to wheat and rice. In addition, they are gluten-free and low in glycemic index, making them ideal for individuals suffering from celiac disease or diabetes. India is one of the world's top five millet exporters.
Export of Millets:
Exports of millet have increased from $400 million in 2020 to $470 million in 2021 (according to the ITC trade map). India exported millets worth $64.28 million in 2021-22, an increase from $59.75 million in 2020-21. Millet-based value-added products have a negligible market share.
India is the globe's the biggest cereal producers and exporter. During the fiscal year 2021-22, India's cereal exports totaled Rs. 96,011.42 crore / 12,872.64 million USD. Rice (including Basmati and Non-Basmati) accounted for 75% of total cereals exports from India during the same period. Other cereals, including wheat, account for only 25% of total cereals exported from India during this time period.
What are the Types of Millets?
Here are the various Millets and their scientific names –
Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum.L.)
Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)
Finger Millet (Eleusine coracana)
Small Millets:
A. Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica)
B. Barnyard Millet (Echinochloa frumentacea)
C. Kodo Millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum)
D. Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum L.)
E. Little Millet (Panicum sumatrense)
Pseudo Millets:
A. Buck Wheat (Kuttu) (Fagopyrum esculentum)
B. Amaranthus (Chaulai) (Amaranthus viridis)
1. Ragi: In India's dry areas, particularly in southern India, it is widely consumed by the rural population as a staple food. It is high in calcium, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B, and phosphorous. Its high fibre content helps to prevent constipation, hypertension, and intestinal cancer. Controls blood glucose levels and hyperglycemia, making it ideal for diabetics.
2. Bajra: Bajra, also known as Pearl millet, is gluten free and retains its alkaline properties even after cooking, making it ideal for people who are allergic to gluten or have acid reflux. It is critical for food and nutritional security because it has several growing advantages such as drought tolerance, low input requirements, and so on. Grains contain a lot of protein, a well-balanced amino acid profile, and a lot of iron, zinc, and insoluble dietary fibre.
3. Porso Millets: India grows an important minor millet. It can avoid drought by being a short-term crop with a low water requirement. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels as well as the risk of heart disease. It also protects against breast cancer and other diseases. Gluten-free and high in carbohydrates and fatty acids.
4. Kodo: Protein content is high (11%), fat content is low (4.2%), and fibre content is extremely high (14.3%). Postmenopausal women with high cholesterol and blood pressure may benefit from the regular consumption of Kodo millet. Simple to digest and beneficial to the nervous system.
5. Jowar: In terms of production and acreage, this is the world's fifth largest cereal food crop. One of the most energy efficient crops in terms of producing food and biomass using solar energy and water. It is naturally drought tolerant and can grow in a variety of environmental conditions.
6. Foxtail Millets: India is the world's second largest producer of millets. It is high in dietary fibre, minerals, micronutrients, and protein, as well as having a low glycemic index (GI). Pregnant and lactating women can use it as an energy source.
7. Little Millets: One of the minor millets commonly grown in India. Their low carbohydrate content, slow digestibility, and low water-soluble gum content help to improve glucose metabolism.
8. Barnyard: Protein-rich, easily digestible, and high in dietary fibre. It has a higher concentration of micronutrients (iron and zinc) than most other cereals.
What are the Health Benefits of Millets?
Millets are one of the oldest crops known to humans and can grow in harsh climates with little irrigation. They were domesticated first in Asia and Africa, and then spread throughout the world as a cereal crop for evolving civilizations.
- Healthy, Nutritious Crops: They have a higher micronutrient profile and bioactive flavonoids than other cereals.
- The millet plant is highly adaptable to a wide range of environmental conditions, and it thrives even in arid, rain-fed climates while using minimal water, fertilizer, and pesticides.
- Millets have a low Glycemic Index (GI) and are also linked to diabetes prevention.
- They contain minerals such as iron, zinc, and calcium.
- Millets are gluten-free and can be consumed by people suffering from celiac disease.
- Millet can aid in the treatment and prevention of hyperlipidemia and the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Millets have been shown to help with weight loss, BMI reduction, and blood pressure reduction.
- Millet is commonly consumed with legumes in India, which results in mutual protein supplementation, increases amino acid content, and improves overall protein digestibility.
- Millets serve dual purposes as food and fodder, making them more farm-efficient.
- Millet cultivation contributes to a lower carbon footprint.
- Urban residents can easily access and purchase millet-based ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products.
India Millets Production in India or Millet Growing States of India:
India is a major producer and supplier of millet, with several millet sourcing points spread across the country. Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh are the major millet-growing states in India. These states' millet farmers produce millet for domestic as well as global markets.
Aside from the major millet producing states, India has a number of smaller millets producing regions. The states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh are included in this region.
India is the world's leading producer of millets. In 2020, India's two millet varieties, Pearl Millet (Bajra) and Sorghum (Jowar), will contribute approximately 19% of global production. In 2020, India's Pearl Millet production accounts for 40.51 percent of global Millet production, followed by Sorghum at 8.09 percent.
India's major millet-producing states are – Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The production of millets in these ten states accounts for approximately 98 percent of all millets produced in India during 2020-21. 83 percent of the millet produced in the country is produced in Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Gujarat.
Rajasthan contributes 28.61 percent of India's total millet production. Millets of various types are grown in India, including Pearl Millets, Sorghum, Finger Millet, Foxtail, Kodo, Barnyard, Proso, Little Millet, and Pseudo Millets such as Buckwheat and Amaranths. Pearl millet (Bajra), sorghum (Jowar), and finger millet (Ragi) account for the majority of millets produced in India.
Delicious Millets Recipes:
13 Delicious Millet Recipes
Best Millet Recipes
International Millet Recipes
Millets Names in Various Languages:
| English | Sorghum | Pearl Millet | Finger Millet | Little Millet | Kodo Millet | Foxtail / Italian Millet | Barnyard Millet | Proso Millet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindi | Jowar | Bajra | Mandua | Kutki | Kodon | Kangni, Kakum | Sanwa, Jhangon | Barre |
| Sanskrit | - | - | Nandimukhi, Madhuli | - | Kodara | Kanguni | Shyama | Chinå |
| Kannada | Jola | Sajjai | Ragi | Same | Harka | Navane | Oodalu | Baragu |
| Tamil | Cholam | Kamboo | Kelvaragu | Samai | Varagu | Tenai | Kuthiravaali | Panivaragu |
| Telugu | Jonna | Sajjalu | Ragulu | Samalu | Arikelu, Arika | Korra, Korralu | Udalu, Kodisama | Varigulu, Varagalu |
| Malayalam | Cholam | Kamboo | Moothari | Chama | Varagu | Thina | Panivaragu | |
| Marathi | Jcwari | Bajri | Nachni | Sava | Kodra | Kang, Rala | Shamul | Vari |
| Gujarati | Juar | Bajri | Nagli, Bavto | Gajro, Kuri | Kodra | Kang | Sama | Cheno |
| Bengali | Juar | Bajra | Mandua | Kangani | Kodo | Kaon | Shamula | Cheena |
| Punjabi | - | Bajra | Mandhuka, Mandhal | Swank | Kodra | Kangni | Swank | Cheena |
Source: Indian Millet Portal
Superfood Revolution 2023 Year of Millets Millets what are millets Export of Millets Types of Millets Health benefits of millets millet producing states of India Ragi Fox tail Jowar Bajra Small millets pseudo millets
Comments