India’s proposal supported by 72 countries has been accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) which has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets – a great achievement, but also a national responsibility. The Government right from the Hon. PM Narendra Modi ji downward has thrown is its might to popularize millets domestically and internationally. In the 2022-23 union budget the Finance Minister speaks of the increase in allocation and measures being taken.

On 19th July 2022, NITI Aayog and World Food Program have taken initiative for millets mainstreaming in Asia and Africa. A compendium of good practices will be prepared for scaling up the production and consumption of millets. The commonly grown varieties include Jowar/sorghum, Bajra/pearl millet, ragi/finger millet, Jhangora/barnyard millet, Barri/Proso or common millet, Kangni/foxtail or Italian millet, Kodra/Kodo millet etc.

In the wake of globalisation, eating habits of Indians like the world have changed greatly, bringing to the forefront processed foods or grains like rice and wheat. However, the UN FAO’s (Food and Agricultural Organization) latest report titled ‘The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2022: Repurposing Food and Agriculture Policies to Make Healthy Diets More Affordable’ says about 71% of the Indian population cannot afford a nutritious diet. Hence, a number of Government of India initiatives are in place to aid &  increase millet cultivation. Some of these look at enhancing millets’ share in food grain production like – National Food Security Mission and Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion.