Here’s All You Need To Know About The Superfood ‘Millet’ That Is Good For Consumption, Planet And Farmers

New Delhi: Millets are one of the oldest foods known to humankind and this good-old grain, packed with nutrition, is backed as a superfood. Highly nutritious, millets can potentially be a solution for India’s chronic disease burden as they are gluten-free, high in dietary fibre and micronutrients such as calcium, iron and phosphorus. “India is honoured to be at the forefront of popularising Millets, whose consumption furthers nutrition, food security and welfare of farmers. This also offers research and innovation opportunities for agriculture scientists and start-up communities,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted.

India is honoured to be at the forefront of popularising Millets, whose consumption furthers nutrition, food security and welfare of farmers. This also offers research and innovation opportunities for agriculture scientists and start-up communities. https://t.co/cHcDK1JKN2

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 4, 2021

Also Read: Honoured To Be At The Forefront Of Popularising Millets: PM Modi After UN General Assembly Adopts India-sponsored Resolution

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed gratitude to countries which joined India in the UN General Assembly as the organisation adopted by consensus a resolution declaring 2023 the International Year of Millets.

The humble millet, often overlooked as more glamorous grains take the limelight, is actually a powerhouse of nutrition and a superfood that improves our health. Not just that, at the same time it’s beneficial for farmers as it is easy to grow and requires less water. It even helps fight climate change as it reduces atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Also Read: Expert Blog: Five Superfoods Every Lactating Mother Should Consume

Benefits Of Millets

– Millets are rich in protein and dietary fibre

– Millets have slow-releasing carbohydrates and good for diabetic patients

– They are effective in reducing blood pressure

– Millets are also high on antioxidants and polyphenols

– Millets are a natural source of iron, zinc, calcium and B-complex vitamins

– They are beneficial for farmers as they require less water

– Millets help in reducing the atmospheric carbon dioxide and thus contribute in mitigating the climate change

Also Read: ‘Indian Superfoods, If Taken In Right Quantities, Can Boost Your Health’, Says Celebrity Chef Sanjeev Kapoor

Dr Raj Bhandari, Member National Technical Board of Nutrition, Government of India said that,

Positioning of millets in the form of value added minimally processed products will pave way for Swasth Bharat. The positive attributes of this power packed nutri- cereals will also keep at bay, silent killers like diabetes and hypertension.

They are also beneficial for our agricultural and environmental systems. Millets are farmer-friendly crops, being tolerant to harsh weather conditions and droughts.

You may have heard of superfoods; foods that are super nutritious. Millets are this and more- smart food that is good for you, good for the farmer and good for the planet, shared Joanna Kane-Potaka, Executive Director, Smart Food Initiative, ICRISAT.

There are nine types of millets grown in India making India the only country with so many types of millets grown. Though the main challenge in reviving millets is to increase awareness on the multiple benefits of millets and get the public to accept millets and its taste. Even more so now that the UN has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

Also Read: NITI Aayog Suggests Policy Measures To Ensure Subsidised Foodgrains Supply To Needy

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.