Xiaomi has become strict For all the right reasons. After seven or eight years of policy neglect, they are regaining favor globally as the pitfalls of growing too much wheat and rice are no longer denied. Main varieties of these staples require large amounts of fertilizers, chemicals and water. They are associated with lifestyle diseases. At the same time, the natural resource economic and nutritional value of millet is indisputable. In light of climate uncertainty and the need to reduce agriculture’s carbon footprint, the United Nations has declared 2023 the International Year of Millets. However, this shift poses policy challenges. A recent Xiaomi secret meeting organized by this newspaper highlighted both demand and supply issues.
On the supply side, the numbers are evocative. Wheat and rice yields were 3.5 tons and 2.8 tons per hectare respectively, while the average millet yield was 1.3 tons per hectare. Although the government plans to increase millet production to 45 million tons by 2030 from the current 17-18 million tons, this target cannot be achieved without increasing production due to limited land supply. Increasing millet production requires a viable ecosystem. This requires the provision of high-quality seeds and increased processing efficiency to increase the recovery rate of small-grained millet from about 55% to over 70%. Scientists participating in the meeting pointed out that through proper crop management practices and seed improvement, millet (ragi) production in Karnataka has reached 2.2 tons per hectare. Even as scientists work on high-yielding varieties, farmers must get a decent price. An MSP for small millets can be considered with the support of procurement and marketing infrastructure. In terms of institutional reforms, FPOs should be at the forefront in managing seed saving and contracts and extension services must be robust.
Millets are the mainstay of small and marginal farmers in the states of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat, accounting for 83% of total millet production. Higher yields and lower costs could reduce rural distress and migration in rainfed areas.
However, the supply push must be accompanied by growth in domestic and global demand. In India, Xiaomi must regain its staple status. Exempting millet products and snacks from GST could encourage investment in processing and also help create demand. India accounts for 19% of global millet production, and the United States accounts for 11%. However, India’s bajra and jowar production account for 40% and 8% of the world’s production respectively. Since sorghum is produced globally, India can have an export impact on bajra, ragi and minor millets. The shift in demand must start in rural India, where traditional growing and culinary knowledge needs to be revived. Millet Maculopathy and other health awareness initiatives can make a difference. Millet is a superfood and should be treated as such.
