India is the world’s largest producer of millets. The year 2024-25 witnessed a record 18.6 million tonnes production of what we call nutri-cereals (aka Shree Anna). Millets were staple diet of daily use for a vast majority of the country’s population until ‘Green Revolution’ in the 1960s -1970s promoted rice and wheat as fine cereals. The decline of millets consumption started then, despite their known nutritional value.       

Following a proposal by India and backed by as many as 70 countries, the United Nations declared 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYM). Anecdotal reports suggest, India spent over Rs 1,200 crore purportedly to promote millet production, consumption and export. 

The government took several initiatives. It organized a global millet conference in March 2023; held Millet Mahotsav in as many as 30 districts in principal growing states of Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka; participated in international trade fairs; and organized World Food India 2023 with millets as a key focus area. 

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme with an outlay of Rs 800 crore was announced with focus on manufacture of millet-based products for domestic and export markets. A few top corporates in the processed foods sector launched millet-based foods and advertised heavily in 2023.  

What’s the status of millets two years after the celebration of IYM 2023 with massive publicity? On the positive side, millets have been integrated into welfare programs including the PM-Poshan (midday meal) and public distribution system (PDS) in a few states. 

Yet, several structural challenges hinder the long-term sustainability of millets. Despite increase in minimum support price, the return over cost for millets remains lower than for crops like wheat or mustard. That makes millets a secondary choice for those with irrigation access. 

Processing and shelf-life issues have to be addressed. Millets demand specialized processing to remove tough outer husk; and once milled into flour, millets have a short shelf-life due to enzymatic activity (rancidity) which complicates the supply chain. 

In urban markets, millet-based products are often priced as premium health foods, which makes it unaffordable for the average middleclass family. Ironically, in the rural areas, distribution of highly subsidized rice / wheat or free ration makes millets unattractive purchase for the very people who traditionally grew them and currently need them the most to advance nutrition security. 

Procurement support for millets leaves much to be desired because of weak procurement and storage infrastructure. 

Importantly, R & D is key. Investment in food technological research is required to develop easy-to-cook, palatable /tasty foods and snacks. Ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat millet-based foods must have adequate shelf-life for which integrity of packaging (vacuum packed or gas-flushed) becomes critical. 

There is a market for millet-based foods /snacks for every age group and category of consumers - kids, teenagers, working women, the elderly (geriatric food), sportspersons (energy bars), for convalescence and so on. 

We need to make consumption of millets fashionable and promote millets as Smart-foods or Superfoods. 

Beyond the hype of IYM 2023, if as a nation we are serious about promoting millets to benefit from its nutritional value, we have to adopt an Ecosystem approach. Millets have multiple uses; call it 4-F - food, feed, fuel and ferment. Production growth and consumption growth must move in tandem or lockstep. Importantly, production should be substantially demand-driven so that the benefits of a growing market flow to the primary producers, namely the growers in good measure. 

Policymakers have their role cut out. They must engage with growers primarily Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to understand issues of production, input availability, quality, cost and agronomy. They must send out clear message to input suppliers (seeds, agro-chemicals, fertilizer, banks) about what growers are looking for. They must help link FPOs with millet processing companies to facilitate marketability. Encourage large corporates to undertake ‘contract farming’. 

Setting up a Research – Industry interface with involvement of Startups would be a good idea. Last but not the least, organic millets have an export market in the western world. The EU now has laws in place to allow import of sustainably produced foods. By ensuring traceability and compliance, these lucrative markets can be serviced. 

New Delhi must work with State governments to design a strategic roadmap after evaluating the requisite economic, human and technological resources.