"Govt Plans to Include Millets in Diet at G20 Meetings": Kiren Rijiju

Millets are whole grains high in protein, antioxidants, and nutrients. They may have various health benefits, including lowering blood sugar and cholesterol levels. "People should make an effort to incorporate Millet into their diet and create a Millet movement," Rijiju said.

Rijiju said on Twitter, "I can't resist eating millets...Today, entire staff in the Ministry of Law & Justice came together for the Millet Lunch to promote International Year Of #Millets 2023 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi."

Earlier that day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and members of Parliament attended a lunch hosted by Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar to commemorate Millet Year 2023. Agriculture Minister Narendra Tomar, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar, and former Prime Minister HD Devegowda sat with PM Narendra Modi at the meal.

"We prepared delicacies such as Roti and sweets made from Jwar bajra and ragi, for which chefs were specially brought in from Karnataka. I was delighted that the Prime Minister enjoyed his meal here," Shobha Karandlaje, Minister of State for Agriculture.

Earlier, at the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting, PM Modi emphasized the International Millet Year 2023 celebration and suggested ways to promote an ongoing nutrition campaign through millet. The United Nations has designated 2023 as the International Year of Millet, at the request of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In April 2018, the Government of India designated millet as a nutritious cereal, and millet was also included in the Poshan Mission campaign. A nutritious cereal component for millet is being implemented in 212 districts across 14 states as part of the National Food Security Mission (NFMS). Asia and Africa are the major millet crop production and consumption regions. Millet is primarily grown in India, Niger, Sudan, and Nigeria.

Millet production in India is dominated by Kangni, Kutki or small millet, Kodon, Gangora or Barnyard, China, and Brown top, as well as Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, and small millets. Most Indian states grow one or more millet crop species. Our country produced more than 13.71 to 18 million tonnes of millet in the last five years, with the highest production in 2020-21.