Challenges of the Millets Industry

Post-pandemic we saw a paradigm shift in consumer choices and behaviour. People have changed, and the government is forced to act for better food quality, agricultural practices, technological advances and developing systems for ease of doing business.

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But what is the need of the hour that connects all these in one piece and makes it the future plan? Millets are the next big thing. More than 70 countries along with India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the UN on March 5, 2021 to initiate a revolution of food by declaring 2023 as the “International Year of Millets”. It has opened new gates for nutrition, farming, and businesses too. As we step closer to 2023, we observe a visionary shift to good food and a healthy lifestyle. Modern-day needs are much more complicated; so is innovation and demand for new products and the connected studies, technologies and deep research. As governments focus on making new policies and the world prepares to bring our ancient grains back to our plates, we still face many challenges. Let's discuss a few and try to find the solutions.

Lack of awareness

Our ancestors knew how important these super cereals were therefore they mentioned them in the scriptures across the world in various religions. But as the green revolution got support from leaders and economic growth became important, other crops like wheat and rice slowly and steadily became our first choice. As generations passed awareness of these nutri-cereals almost vanished from our books and then from our memories, but our DNA still recognises them. Therefore, they are again being suggested by nutritionists, and dieticians for child nutrition, unhealthy lifestyle, weight loss, celiac disease and to address many more issues.