Millets Promotion and Conservation Efforts in India

Abstract

Millets are a staple food for people residing in the arid regions of Asia and Africa, providing nutrition, resilience, income, and livelihood for millions of smallholder dryland farmers. Realizing the potential of millet, India has focused its attention on millet farming and has taken several initiatives for the promotion of millet production and marketing. Local communities primarily grow and conserve millet, so upholding their rights is crucial to ensure equitable benefits to them. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has prepared a comprehensive strategy to promote the export of Indian millet globally. The present study attempts to explore the status of millet production in India and to learn about various policies and measures enacted by the government to promote millet cultivation and utilization in the country.