Budget 2023: Finance Minister calls millets 'Shri Anna', farm sector gets firm push

The Narendra Modi Government has set a target to make India a global hub of millet 'Shree Anna'. Being the biggest producer of millet and second biggest exporter of coarse grains in the world, India is emphasizing promoting the farming and consumption of Shree Anna more and more and making it the 'food of the future'. 

Prime Minister Modi said, “India is at the forefront of popularising millets, whose consumption, furthers nutrition, food security and welfare of farmers. These have several health benefits and have been an integral part of our food for centuries. I acknowledge with pride the huge service done by small farmers in contributing to the health of fellow citizens by growing these ‘Shree Anna’."

Millets found special mention in PM Modi's 'Mann ki Baat'

Millets found not only a special place in the Budget-2023-24 but even got special attention from PM Modi in his latest aired 'Mann ki Baat' edition. PM's special attention to the millet has also drawn special attention from people across the world to the grains. 

Here are some reasons why the Central Government is promoting millet so much?

Chief Scientist of, the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR), Dr JP Dabas said that there are some specific reasons why the government is promoting millet at a bigger level.

One of the reasons is that millets are easily grown in coarse grains in drought-prone areas where there is less water. Apart from less water, millets require less fertilizer and less care, than other crops, are grown in India. The farming of millets can be done on plains as well as hilly areas easily. 

Secondly, the consumption of these grains proves to be very beneficial for the human body, as it builds a strong immune system against various diseases. Because of the presence of an abundance of various types of elements and minerals, essential for the human body, the millets are considered protective food.

The coarse grains are also very easy to digest, making them one of the most healthy food grains in the world. According to Dr. Dabas, it happens several times that some people are unable to digest Gluten, which is found in wheat. But, millets are far from having any such indigestible element. On the contrary, they carry ample amounts of different types of minerals and Vitamins. 

Dr Dabas said, one of the millets is Ragi, which is rich in Calcium. Consumption of Calcium makes bones stronger naturally. This is why grains are often referred to as 'Super Food'.

In the early days, millet was called the grains of the poor, it was mostly consumed by the poor people. This resulted in a decline in the cultivation of millet drastically and lowered the income of the farmers. 

To ensure an increase in the farming of millets and income of farmers, PM Modi is promoting millet farming, its trade, and more and more consumption of Shree Anna. After the call from the PM, many entrepreneurs have started trading in millets, and its products. Dishes such as chilla, dosa, momos, pizza, and Manchurian apart from khakhra, biscuits, and laddoos are being prepared with the help of millet. 

As far as farming is concerned, India grows several types of millet such as jowar, ragi, bajra, kuttu, ramdana, kangni, kutki, kodo, cheena, and sama. Now to make India a global hub for 'Shree Anna', the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research, and technologies at the international level.