Page 21 - NIS English February 01-15,2023

Nutritious Cereals: India Leading Cover Story

INDIA: PRODUCTION OF COARSE CEREALS DURING THE LAST 10 YEARS

India is one of the major producers of Millet in the world. Production of Millets in India
increased from 1.45 crore tonnes in 2015-16 to 1.8 crore tonnes in 2020-21

Jowar Bajra Ragi Small Bajra (Figures in lakh tonnes)

BENEFITS OF BAJRA

n Bajra has beneficial effects on the assistance. These include millet-based products
that are "ready to cook" or "ready to eat" (RTC or
management and prevention of RTE). To monitor the programmes and policies for
Hyperlipidemia and the risk of CVD the popularisation of nutrigrains, a Committee of

n It has been found to be helpful in weight Secretaries chaired by the Cabinet Secretary and a
loss, BMI and high blood pressure. Core Committee chaired by the Secretary, DA&FW,

n In India, bajra is commonly consumed and Secretary DARE have been constituted.
with legumes, which complement the The government has taken several steps to
protein, increase the amino acid content, promote millet. In 2018, the National Year of Millet
and increase the overall digestibility of the was observed in order to generate domestic and
protein. global demand and provide people with nutritious

n Bajra based value added products in the food. Because of millet's nutritional value, the
government designated it as a cereal in April
ready to cook, ready to eat category are 2018, and it was included in the Poshan Mission
easily accessible and convenient for the campaign. While there are over 500 startups active
urban population. across the market value chain, the Indian Institute
n Bajra is used for dual purposes- food as of Millets Research has taken onboard 250 of
well as fodder, which makes its cultivation them through RKVY-Raftaar. Over 66 startups have
more efficient. received funding totaling more than Rs 6.2 crore,

Bajra cultivation helps in reducing the
n with another 25 approved for future funding.
carbon footprint. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has
developed a comprehensive strategy to promote
Indian coarse cereal exports to the world beginning
in December 2022 through its agricultural export
promotion body, the Agricultural and Processed
Food Products Export Development Authority
(APEDA). The Central Government is organising
the International Year of Millets on a domestic and
international scale in order to popularise millets and

New India Samachar February 1-15, 2023 19