International Years of Millets 2023

• Millets are the staple food for the population in dry land regions of the world, particularly Asia and Africa. India declared 2018 as National Year for Millets to promote millets for nutrition security. NFSM-Nutri Cereals a sub scheme is under National Food Security Mission.
• Government of India has proposed to United Nations for declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYOM). The proposal of India was supported by 72 countries and United Nation’s General Assembly ( UNGA) declared 2023 as International Year of Millets on 5th March, 2021.

International Year of Millets – Nutri Cereals

• Sorghum (Jowar)
• Pearl Millet(Bajra)
• Finger Millet (Ragi/Mandua)
• Little Millet (Kutki)
• Kodo millet (Kodo)
• Barnyard millet (Sawa/Jhangora)
• Foxtail millet (Kangni/Kakun)

Nutrients in Millets

Daily consumption of millets can significantly reduce incidences of non-communicable diseases.

• Dietary fiber
• Slow digestible carbohydrate
• High protein
• B complex vitamins
• Calcium
• Iron
• Magnesium
• Manganese
• Copper
• Phyto- chemical

Specific characteristic of Millets

• Nonacid forming
• Easy to digest
• Non – allergic

Why should you eat Millets?

Benefits of Little Millets

• Boost immunity
• Detoxifies the body
• Respiratory conditions
• Helps lower Cholesterol
• Fortifies bone density

Benefits of Millets to Diabetes Patients

The study, undertaken by M V Hospital for Diabetes, found that replacing rice based Dosas with one made of foxtail millets ( Thinai ) can significantly bring down sugar levels those suffering from type – 2 diabetes.

Two group of 35 to 55 years

One group was given rise dosa for breakfast and other ate dosas made of millets, two days later breakfast swapped. Researchers measured their blood sugar glucose level before and 90 minutes after breakfast. Person’s sugar level after breakfast was 59.25 for those who had millet dosa, but it was 77.96 for those who ate rice dosas. This shows that low glycemic index of foxtail millet dosa to high level of soluble dietary fiber in the millet.

Top 5 states for Millet Crops

 

States	Millets Crop
Rajasthan	Bajra / Sorghum
Karnataka	Jowar / Ragi
Maharashtra	Ragi / Jowar
Uttar Pradesh	Bajra
Haryana	Bajra

 

Shortlisted Logo and Slogan of IYOM 2023

Millets Promotion

Millets were earlier promoted during 2011-12 to 2013-14 under the programme of Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millets Promotion (INSIMP) – as a sub scheme of RKVY and later on merged as component of National Food Security Mission (NFSM) as NFSM-Coarse Cereals from 2014-15.