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A category of cereal grains known as millets is part of the Poaceae family, also referred to as the grass family, which is highly consumed in Africa and Asia. But it doesn’t stop there because people have grown its popularity because of its gluten-free nutrients. International Year of Millets.
So are millets gluten-free?
Absolutely! The millet grains have been gaining popularity in the western regions of the planet because of this reason. But millet crops are a good source of vitamins and plant chemicals. As a result, they provide numerous health advantages.
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Millet plants are generally grown in India, and millet grains have always been a part of the Indian diet. Therefore, The International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 initiative was sponsored by the Indian government and approved by the UN General Assembly (UNGA) recently.
Before that, let’s learn a little about millets.
Millets Types
Despite millet grains being part of the Poaceae family, they vary in species, color, and look. Additionally, this crop is separated into two categories: large millets and small millets, with large millets being more well-known or often grown around.
Large millet grains have foxtail, proso, ragi, and pearl. In comparison, small millet crop has Kodo, browntop, fonio, etc.
Amongst all these, pearl millet is the grain grown the most and is commonly found. Although all kinds of millets grains have great nutritional values and good health advantages
Millets Benefits
You need to eat breakfast and enjoy it, whether working from home or just relaxing in the morning after a long run. Millet grains are the ideal breakfast choice to help you start the day healthy.
Millet plants are the most underused grains in India, even though they are loaded with protein and nutrients, free of gluten, better for you than other grains, and can be used in many dishes worldwide.
Millet breakfast is one of the most famous dishes in India, and people often believe that millets are good for weight loss and diabetes.
International Year Of Millets
Millet plants and millet seeds were rebranded to “Nutri cereals” in April 2018. Due to the millet nutrients and their benefits for the human body, 2018 was also named the National Year of Millets. The growth of the millet industry and millet crops grew instantly to 4.5%.
The International Year of Millets – 2023 kicked out with an inauguration ceremony held by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in Rome, Italy, on December 6, 2022. This was also attended by a group of government officials from India, as millet in India is much more popular.
The ministry has scheduled 15 events spread across 15 days in January, including webinars on millets with top nutritionists, dieticians, and professional athletes, publicity aggregation through the Fit India App, etc. The activities include engaging sportspeople, nutritionists, and health and wellness experts through video messages.
During the UN meeting, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje stated Prime Minister Modi’s gratitude for labeling 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The PM thanked the international community for supporting India’s request to observe the International Year of Millets in a message (IYM).
It said that millets benefit the customer, grower, and climate. Millets may be grown in semi-arid regions, are nutrient-rich, and require less irrigating water than other crops. Diversity is necessary on our land and at our dinner tables. This is done so that people recognize the millet nutrients.
Micronutrients, vitamins, and minerals can all be found in abundance in millet. The International Year of Millets will stimulate interest in increasing investment in development and research services, increase stakeholder motivation for continuing millets production and quality improvement, and increase awareness of millets’ role in food security and nutrition.
Conclusion
Millets were one of the first crops in India to be domesticated, and there is evidence that they were consumed during the Indus Valley civilization. Millets are grown primarily in much more than 130 countries and represent a staple diet for more than 500 million people in Asia and Africa.
इस #IYM2023 में जानें मिलेट्स के बारे में और जानें #Millets आधारित खाद्य प्रसंस्कृत उत्पादों के स्वास्थ्यवर्धक फायदों के बारे में..#InternationalYearofMillets pic.twitter.com/wOdTc7L59t
— FOOD PROCESSING MIN (@MOFPI_GOI) December 29, 2022
Millets are a Kharif crop in India and consume less water and agricultural products than other staple foods of a similar nature. Millets are significant due to their enormous potential to support livelihoods, boost farmer incomes, and guarantee global food and nutritional security.
