India is a major millets producing country in the world. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing millets development programme, as Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets), under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) from 2018-19 to enhance area, production & productivity of millets.TheState-wise production of major crops including millets during last three years is at Annexure-I.

 

In view of health benefits of the millets, Government of India notified millets as nutri-cereals in April 2018. Indian Council of Agricultural Research- Indian Institute of Millets Research, (ICAR-IIMR) Hyderabad is supporting the startups, Farmer Producing Organisations (FPOs) underRashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana – Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture and Allied Sectors Rejuvenation (RKVY-RAFTAAR) projectto procure the primary and secondary processing units under ICAR’s- Farmers First Programme providing training to the farmers, home makers, students andyoungentrepreneurs on cultivation practices of millets, value-added millet food products, recipes etc. besides support to establish their own enterprise& own brand. To create domestic & global demand of millets Government of India had proposed to the United Nations for declaring the year 2023 as International Year of Millets (IYoM). The Resolution of India was supported by 72 countries and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted the resolution and declared 2023 as International Year of Millets in March, 2021. The Government of India has already planned activities for celebrations of IYoM- 2023. The action plan of IYOM-2023 focusseson strategies to enhance production, consumption, export, branding etc.