15 May2023, Chandigarh: Haryana Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister, Mr. J.P. Dalal said that on the proposal of the Government of India, the United Nations has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYOM) to promote the cultivation and consumption of nutri-cereals. He said that the state government is promoting millet as a nutritious food under the National Food Security Mission since 2018-19
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister, Mr. JP Dalal was addressing a two-day conference organized on the theme of ‘Shri Anna Mahotsav 2023’ in Dehradun today.
He said that Bajra Nutra-cereal has immense potential in our fight against climate change, food, nutrition, fodder and livelihood and poverty. It helps reduce the effects of climate change through less carbon waste than wheat and rice.
He informed that the Haryana government is actively promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets in the state. Nutri-Cereals cure many diseases. Containing a good amount of fibre, minerals and proteins, these crops are a powerhouse of nutrition which have the ability to nourish the body and heal diseases such as Diabetes, Blood Sugar, Hypertension, Hyperthyroidism etc. He said that Kodra, Kangni, Kutki, Swank, Hari Kangni, Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and Cheena etc. should be included in food.
Nutri-cereal (Bajra) is grown in an area of about 10 lakh acres to 12 lakh acres in Haryana with an estimated yield of 800 kg/acre and production of 12 lakh metric tonnes and now people have taken it to their diet because of its incredible health benefits.
The Agriculture Minister said that today when the world is celebrating ‘International Millet Year’, India is leading this campaign. In this direction, this initiative of Uttarakhand government ‘Mr. Anna Mahotsav 2023’ is a commendable and praiseworthy step.
He said that when we talk about food security, we know that today the world is facing dual challenges. On one hand the world is worried about the food security of the poor, on the other hand diseases related to poor food habits are becoming a major problem.
He said that chemicals are being used in large quantities for the production. He further said that millets are easy to grow, cost very little, and are ready quickly compared to other crops. Not only are they rich in nutrition, they are also special in taste.
