International Year of Millets (IYM2023): Millets mission brought new hopes for Assam

(The writer can be reached at sanjibbaruah9@gmail.com)

The United Nations (UN) General Assembly, at its 75th session, declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) following India’s proposal. Millets are a group of highly variable small-seeded grasses widely grown around the world as cereal crops or grans for human food and as fodder. Evidence of millet cultivation dates back to the Middle Jerulmun Pottery Period (c. 3,500–2,000 BC) on the Korean Peninsula. The earliest Indian scriptures mention millet, naming varieties such as foxtail millet (priyangava), barnyard millet (aanava), and black finger millet (shyaamaka). This suggests that millet was a widely consumed grain in India before the Indian Bronze Age (4,500 BC). Millets are one of the oldest crops to be domesticated and cultivated; they are believed to have originated in Asia and Africa.

Why millets?

Millets are cereal crops and small seed grasses that are distinct from wheat, barley, oats, rice, and maize. Since ancient times, these small crops have been used for human consumption as well as fodder for animals. Millets are often perceived as “poor man’s food” due to historical and cultural contexts. In many regions, millets have been traditionally consumed by lower-income communities and populations due to their affordability, accessibility, and ability to grow well in harsh environments. However, millets are actually one of the most nutritious of all the world’s cereal crops. According to the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations, millets are among the first plants to be domesticated and are considered nutri-cereals due to their high nutritional content. While millets are easy to grow, favourable climatic conditions and the traditional expertise of farmers make it an ideal place to promote pre-historic crops. Millet grains are high in carbohydrates, with their protein content varying from 6 to 11 percent and their fat content varying from 1.5 percent to 5 percent. They are somewhat strong in taste and are mainly consumed in flatbreads and porridges or prepared and eaten much like rice.

Types of millets in India:

The millets commonly grown in India include Jowar (sorghum), Bajra (pearl millet), Ragi (finger millet), Jhangora (barnyard millet), Barri (Proso or common millet), Kangni (foxtail/Italian millet), Kodra (Kodo millet), etc. The botanical names of the various millets are finger millet (Eleusine coracana), foxtail millet (Setariaitalica), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), barnyard millet (Echinochloa crus-galli and Echinochloacolona), kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), job’s tears (Coixlacryma-jobi), and guinea millet (Brachiariadeflexa).

Finger millet (Ragi): It is known as Ragi in Kannada, Kelvaragu in Tamil, Koovarugu in Malayalam, and Mundua in Hindi. Ragi is used as a healthy substitute for rice and wheat. Ragi is a powerhouse of nutrition and loaded with protein and amino acids, which are good for brain development in growing kids.

Foxtail millet is abundant in minerals and vitamins. Foxtail millet is known as Thinai in Tamil, Kirra in Telugu, Thinna in Malayalam, and Kangni in Hindi. Foxtail millet has healthy blood sugar-balancing carbohydrates, and it is popularly available in the form of semolina and rice flour. The presence of iron and calcium in this millet helps strengthen immunity.

Pearl millet (Bajra): It is a huge source of proteins; it is recognised as Bajra in Hindi, Sajjalu in Telugu, Kambu in Tamil, and Kambam in Malayalam.
This millet is known for its umpteen health benefits, including the goodness of iron, protein, fibre, and minerals such as calcium and magnesium.

Barnyard millet: This millet is a great source of iron and fibre. It is recognised as Kuthiravali in Tamil, Oodhalu in Kannada, Odalu in Telugu, Kavadapullu in Malayalam, and Sanwa in Hindi.

Little millet: It is also packed with iron and fibre; the local names are Chama in Malayalam, Same in Kannada, Samai in Tamil, Sama in Telugu, and Kutki in Hindi.

Proso millet: This millet is recognized as Barri in Hindi, Panivaragu in Tamil Malayalam, in Kannada, and Varigalu in Telugu.

Indian’s scenario:

It is significant to remember that the Indian government took action five years ago and proclaimed 2018 the National Year of Millets in an effort to boost the production of nutrient-rich millets and iodine in women and children, leading to malnutrition. In the Indian context, millets have historically played a significant role in its agricultural history, making India one of the largest millet economies in the world. As per FAO estimates for 2021, India produced 173 lakh metric tonnes of millets, thereby making India the top 5 millet exporters in the world. At present, India is the fifth-largest exporter of millets in the world, alongside other countries like the US, Russia, Ukraine, India, China, the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Argentina. As per industry estimates, India millets export figures came down marginally in 2020–21 ($26.97 million) compared to 2019–20 ($28.5 million). This is at a time when global exports of millets were $466.284 million in 2020. India produces nearly 14 million metric tonnes of millets in states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. As per estimates, around 14 million hectors in India are used for the cultivation of millets. In most of these states, rice and wheat are also grown and need more water for cultivation. India produces 80% of Asia’s millet and 20% of global millet. Production has been increasing by around 3% CAGR; however, the cropland under prominent millets like Jowar, Bajra, etc. has halved post-Green Revolution from 40% to around 20%.

Millet’s scenario for Assam:

The Assam government’s decision to set up the Assam Millet Mission for seven years starts with the current financial year. It has led to the establishment of millet demonstration farms in 15 districts. As per the sources, the International Crop Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and the Government of Assam, India, have joined forces to advance climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced food systems through the Assam Millet Mission. Currently, millets are only cultivated across 6,000 hectares of land in 15 districts of Assam, including Nagaon, Bongaigaon, and Dhubri, contributing 97 percent of the state’s millet production. At the heart of the partnership is Assam’s goal of boosting the cultivation, production, and consumption of three native millet crops: finger millet (Maruadhan), foxtail millet (Kaun), and proso millet?(Cheena Bajra). Undoubtedly, the Assam millet mission has brought new hopes for millet expansion and sustainable millet farming.