Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India: NITI Aayog

27 Apr 2023

Recently, NITI Aayog released a report, titled "Promoting Millets in Diets: Best Practices across States/UTs of India".

The report presents a set of good and innovative practices adopted by state governments and organizations in various aspects of millet value-chain, especially production, processing, and consumption.
It aims to revive and mainstream millets in our diets, which are nutritionally wholesome crops.
Odisha Millet Mission, Andhra Pradesh's Comprehensive Revival of Millets Cultivation by Tribals and Drought Mitigation Project, Chhattisgarh Millet Mission, and Nagaland's Promotion of Millets through National Food Security Mission (NFSM)-Nutri Cereals Mission are some of the initiatives that have resulted in positive impacts.
Additionally, several states have integrated millets in the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under ICDS, leading to increased production, consumption, and distribution.
NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman emphasized the importance of leveraging the power of branding and marketing to popularize millets as a superfood and make it fashionable.
NITI Aayog has also proposed the establishment of a National Nutrition Commission to combat malnutrition and ensure the availability of safe, affordable, and nutritious food to all.
The commission will work towards strengthening the existing policies and programs related to nutrition and also suggest new interventions.
This proposal comes in light of the recent National Family Health Survey which indicates that malnutrition is still a major concern in India, with high rates of stunting and wasting among children under the age of five.
These initiatives by NITI Aayog are crucial steps towards achieving the goal of better nutrition and health for all, and promoting sustainable and resilient food systems in India.