Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The government is making efforts to boost the production and consumption of millets, Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar has said.
He was speaking after inaugurating the ‘Millets Experience Centre (MEC)’ at Dilli Haat, INA, in the national capital, media reports said on April 29.
Co-operative NAFED in collaboration with the agriculture ministry established this centre to create awareness about the benefits of millet and encourage its adoption among the general public.
“We are making efforts to enhance production, yield, processing and consumption of millets in the country,” Tomar said and highlighted that there are multiple health benefits of consuming millet as it is nutritious.
He said millets are climate resilient and can be grown in less water and with minimal use of fertilisers and pesticides. An increase in the production of millet will also boost the income of farmers, especially small and marginal ones, he said, noting that a large number of startups are doing a commendable job in the field of millet.
Acting upon India’s proposal supported by 72 countries, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). The declaration positioned India at the forefront of the celebrations.
