Millets Can Tackle Challenges Of Global Food Security & Bad Food Habits, Says PM Modi

Speaking about the food security challenges faced by the world, Modi said: "We are aware that the world today is facing two types of challenges. On the one hand, there is a Global South concerned about food security for the poor, on the other hand, there is Global North where diseases related to food habits are becoming a severe problem.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said millets can help tackle challenges of global food security as well as diseases arising from bad food habits as he exhorted farm scientists to work towards increasing the share of nutri-cereals in the national food basket from the current 5-6 per cent only.

Addressing the gathering after inaugurating the ‘Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference’, Modi noted that many states have included millets in their PDS system and suggested that other states follow suit. He also called for including the superfood in the mid-day meal so that children can get proper nutrition.

The prime minister also stressed that India wants to share its agricultural practices with the world and learn from the experiences of other countries.

He also made a strong pitch for developing a stable supply chain for this superfood from field to market and from one country to another.

The prime minister also unveiled a customized postal stamp and Rs 75 currency coin to mark the International Year of Millets celebrated this year.

Hyderabad-based ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research was also declared as a Centre of Excellence.

Speaking about the food security challenges faced by the world, Modi said: "We are aware that the world today is facing two types of challenges. On the one hand, there is a Global South which is concerned about food security for the poor, on the other hand, there is Global North where diseases related to food habits is becoming a severe problem.

"On one side, there is a challenge of food security and on the other side the problem of food habit. Both sides have expressed concern about the heavy use of chemicals in farming. Shree Anna provides solutions for all such challenges," he said.

Millet is a common term to categorise small-seeded grasses that are often termed nutri-cereals and includes Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi), Little Millet (Kutki), Foxtail Millet (Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Barnyard Millet (Sawa), Kodo Millet (Kodon) and other millets.

Modi informed the foreign delegates at the event about India’s branding initiatives for millets, which India now calls millets 'Shree Anna'.

He elaborated that Shree Anna is not limited to just food or farming. Those acquainted with the Indian tradition will understand the importance of prefixing 'Shree' before anything.

“Shree Anna is becoming a medium of holistic development in India. It is linked with 'gaon' as well as 'Garib' (Village and the poor)”.

He referred to Shree Anna as a door to prosperity for small farmers of the country, the cornerstone of nutrition for crores of countrymen and felicitation of the Adivasi community.

Modi also mentioned that millets can be grown with less water, and are a big foundation for chemical-free farming. They can also help in fighting climate change

He also said it is a matter of great honour for the country that after India's proposal and efforts, the United Nations declared 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets'.

Stressing that millets bring with them endless possibilities, Modi said nutri-cereals are climate resilient and can be easily produced even in adverse climatic conditions.

He informed the delegates that it is a preferred crop for water-stressed areas as it requires relatively less water to grow and can be grown naturally without chemicals and thereby safeguarding the health of both humans and the soil.

Modi said about 2.5 crore small farmers are directly involved in the production of millets in the country and India's Millet Mission campaign will prove to be a boon for them.

He said India is continuously working to promote millets as a global movement.

Agriculture ministers from Guyana, Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, and the Gambia were present at the event.

Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, and Minister of State for Agriculture Kailash Choudhary were present at the event.

-With PTI Inputs

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