Millets in India

Millets in India | UPSC Compass

Why in News

NITI Aayog released its report “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta.”
Though focused on pulses, the report also provides lessons for achieving self-reliance in food crops like millets, which face similar challenges of productivity, pricing, and sustainability.

Current Status and Trends of Millets in India

Production Share

India produces about 41 percent of global millets.
Annual production is around 16 million tonnes, making India the largest producer.

Regional Concentration

Over 80 percent of millet production comes from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
Indicates uneven geographical spread.

Consumption Decline

Per capita millet consumption fell from 32 kg per year in the 1960s to only 4 kg per year today.
Shift towards rice and wheat due to Public Distribution System and changing diets.

Export Trends

India exported about 1.8 million tonnes of millets in 2022–23.
Major export destinations: United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Saudi Arabia.
Reflects growing global demand.

Policy Focus

Union Budget 2023–24 renamed millets as “Shree Anna.”
Allocated resources for research, processing, and market linkages to revive millet consumption.

Importance of Millets

Nutritional Value

Rich in iron, calcium, fiber, and proteins.
Helps fight malnutrition and anemia, especially for women and children.

Climate Resilience

Requires 70 percent less water than rice.
Can withstand drought and poor soils, suitable for rainfed and arid areas.

Farmer Livelihoods

Low-input crop with less need for fertilizers and irrigation.
Reduces cost of cultivation for small and marginal farmers.

Food Security

Inclusion in Mid-Day Meals, Integrated Child Development Scheme, and Public Distribution System improves nutrition for vulnerable groups.

Global Recognition

India branded millets as “Shree Anna.”
Promoted worldwide as a superfood, strengthening India’s agriculture diplomacy and export potential.

Initiatives Taken So Far

National Food Security Mission (Millets): Supports seed distribution, area expansion, and productivity improvement.
Shree Anna Mission (2023): Six-year mission for millet research, processing, branding, and market integration.
Millets in State Schemes: Example: Karnataka’s “Ksheera Bhagya” scheme includes millets in school meals.
International Push: India led the UN General Assembly resolution declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.
Export Promotion: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority supports branding, Geographical Indication tags, and millet-based exports.

Challenges Faced by Millets

Declining Consumer Preference

Rice and wheat dominate due to low prices in Public Distribution System and easy cooking.

Productivity Gap

Current yield is about 1.2 tonnes per hectare, lower than rice and wheat.
Caused by weak research and seed systems.

Market Linkages

Farmers face weak value chains, limited Farmer Producer Organizations, and lack of assured procurement under Minimum Support Price.

Post-Harvest Issues

Poor processing technology, storage losses, and low investment in millet-based industries reduce value addition.

Policy Bias

Government subsidies for rice and wheat discourage millet cultivation in rainfed regions.

Strategic Framework for Atmanirbharta in Millets

Horizontal Expansion

Cultivate millets in rice fallows and degraded lands, especially in Eastern India.

Vertical Expansion

Develop high-yielding, bio-fortified, and climate-resilient varieties.
Strengthen seed systems.

Cluster-Based Model

Promote district-wise crop clusters for focused interventions.

Value Chain Strengthening

Set up processing hubs, branding units, and Farmer Producer Organization-led aggregation.

Climate-Smart Practices

Encourage organic farming, water-efficient methods, and pest-resistant practices in line with India’s climate goals.

Way Ahead

Integration into Food Security Schemes: Make millet inclusion compulsory in National Food Security Act and Integrated Child Development Scheme.
Boost to Research and Development: Invest in bio-fortified, short-duration hybrids and improve seed replacement.
Export-Oriented Value Chains: Create Geographical Indication-based brands and premium millet products for global markets.
Public Procurement Reform: Ensure Minimum Support Price-based procurement with decentralized centers.
Awareness Campaigns: Launch nationwide millet promotion drives linking them with nutrition, lifestyle, and climate resilience.

Conclusion

Millets provide India with a triple benefit:
- Better nutrition
- Strong climate resilience
- Improved farmer income
With strong institutional support, research, and global branding, millets can re-emerge as the grain of the future.
Achieving Atmanirbharta in millets requires joint efforts across production, markets, and consumer awareness.

Why in News

NITI Aayog released its report “Strategies and Pathways for Accelerating Growth in Pulses towards the Goal of Atmanirbharta.”

Though focused on pulses, the report also provides lessons for achieving self-reliance in food crops like millets, which face similar challenges of productivity, pricing, and sustainability.

Current Status and Trends of Millets in India

Production Share

India produces about 41 percent of global millets.

Annual production is around 16 million tonnes, making India the largest producer.

Regional Concentration

Over 80 percent of millet production comes from Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.

Indicates uneven geographical spread.

Consumption Decline

Per capita millet consumption fell from 32 kg per year in the 1960s to only 4 kg per year today.

Shift towards rice and wheat due to Public Distribution System and changing diets.

Export Trends

India exported about 1.8 million tonnes of millets in 2022–23.

Major export destinations: United Arab Emirates, Nepal, Saudi Arabia.

Reflects growing global demand.

Policy Focus

Union Budget 2023–24 renamed millets as “Shree Anna.”

Allocated resources for research, processing, and market linkages to revive millet consumption.

Importance of Millets

Nutritional Value

Rich in iron, calcium, fiber, and proteins.

Helps fight malnutrition and anemia, especially for women and children.

Climate Resilience

Requires 70 percent less water than rice.

Can withstand drought and poor soils, suitable for rainfed and arid areas.

Farmer Livelihoods

Low-input crop with less need for fertilizers and irrigation.

Reduces cost of cultivation for small and marginal farmers.

Food Security

Inclusion in Mid-Day Meals, Integrated Child Development Scheme, and Public Distribution System improves nutrition for vulnerable groups.

Global Recognition

India branded millets as “Shree Anna.”

Promoted worldwide as a superfood, strengthening India’s agriculture diplomacy and export potential.

Initiatives Taken So Far

National Food Security Mission (Millets): Supports seed distribution, area expansion, and productivity improvement.

Shree Anna Mission (2023): Six-year mission for millet research, processing, branding, and market integration.

Millets in State Schemes: Example: Karnataka’s “Ksheera Bhagya” scheme includes millets in school meals.

International Push: India led the UN General Assembly resolution declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.

Export Promotion: Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority supports branding, Geographical Indication tags, and millet-based exports.

Challenges Faced by Millets

Declining Consumer Preference

Rice and wheat dominate due to low prices in Public Distribution System and easy cooking.

Productivity Gap

Current yield is about 1.2 tonnes per hectare, lower than rice and wheat.

Caused by weak research and seed systems.

Market Linkages

Farmers face weak value chains, limited Farmer Producer Organizations, and lack of assured procurement under Minimum Support Price.

Post-Harvest Issues

Poor processing technology, storage losses, and low investment in millet-based industries reduce value addition.

Policy Bias

Government subsidies for rice and wheat discourage millet cultivation in rainfed regions.

Strategic Framework for Atmanirbharta in Millets

Horizontal Expansion

Cultivate millets in rice fallows and degraded lands, especially in Eastern India.

Vertical Expansion

Develop high-yielding, bio-fortified, and climate-resilient varieties.

Strengthen seed systems.

Cluster-Based Model

Promote district-wise crop clusters for focused interventions.

Value Chain Strengthening

Set up processing hubs, branding units, and Farmer Producer Organization-led aggregation.

Climate-Smart Practices

Encourage organic farming, water-efficient methods, and pest-resistant practices in line with India’s climate goals.

Way Ahead

Integration into Food Security Schemes: Make millet inclusion compulsory in National Food Security Act and Integrated Child Development Scheme.

Boost to Research and Development: Invest in bio-fortified, short-duration hybrids and improve seed replacement.

Export-Oriented Value Chains: Create Geographical Indication-based brands and premium millet products for global markets.

Public Procurement Reform: Ensure Minimum Support Price-based procurement with decentralized centers.

Awareness Campaigns: Launch nationwide millet promotion drives linking them with nutrition, lifestyle, and climate resilience.

Conclusion

Millets provide India with a triple benefit:

Better nutrition

Strong climate resilience

Improved farmer income

With strong institutional support, research, and global branding, millets can re-emerge as the grain of the future.

Achieving Atmanirbharta in millets requires joint efforts across production, markets, and consumer awareness.