International year of Millets - 2023
In 2019, India in its capacity as the President of the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly, proposed to declare an International Year of Millets. India's proposal to the United Nations for an International Year of Millets is aimed at raising awareness on the nutritional importance of millets and their role in sustainable food production.
In many parts of the world, millet is an important food crop. It also has many health benefits. The hope is that this event will raise awareness about how important millets are in our world and how it can help solve some of our health problems.
Millets In India
India has been a major producer and consumer of millet for centuries. The country is home to nearly 100 million millet farmers, which is nearly 20% of India’s population. The proposal was made by Dr. Ravi Srivastava, Director General of the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR), India’s premier agricultural research institution. He also serves as the President of the Asian and African Association for Millets and Quinoa (AAMQ). – an international non-governmental organization that promotes the sustainability of millet and quinoa in particular. "We have been a major producer and consumer of millet for centuries. The country is home to nearly 100 million millet farmers, which is nearly 20% of India's population."
Millets originated in the Fertile Crescent region around 10,000 to 20,000 years ago and became an integral part of agriculture in the Neolithic Revolution.
Why this campaign?
Millets are one among the dryland crops that are not only drought-resistant but also climate-smart - they can thrive in rainwater, low nutrient soil and high temperature at the same time. They are drought resistant and highly nutritious. Rich in vitamins, minerals, soluble fiber, carbs and other essential nutrients, millets are a wonderful source of energy. This powerhouse of a cereal is very useful in combating world hunger and malnutrition in children.
Millets can be consumed in a variety of ways, as whole grains or processed into flour or other products. They can be boiled or roasted and eaten like rice, ground into flour for breads or porridge (poha), fermented to make alcoholic beverages (beer), made into breakfast cereals with milk and sugar (bajra halwa), popped like popcorn (kutki), or eaten raw with salt (sorghum).
Global Campaign
The International Year of Millets 2023 is a global campaign that is being launched by United Nations to make more people aware of the importance of millets. This campaign will be a great opportunity for the world to celebrate and appreciate millets as they are an important part of our food culture.
The United Nations is calling for a global celebration of the world’s most ancient grains!
It wants to raise awareness about millets and their importance in food security, nutrition and sustainable development.
Millets have been around for thousands of years and are grown in many parts of the world. They are a staple crop for many cultures and a nutritious food source to millions of people. Millets are known as one of the most drought resistant crops, as they have tough leaves that store water, which means they can grow in arid conditions when other crops would not be able to survive.
Health Benefits
A staple food in many cultures, millets are whole-grains that are low in calories and high in fiber content.
- Unlike other grains, they don’t contain gluten or any other allergens making them appropriate for those with wheat or gluten sensitivities. Aside from their nutritional benefits, millets are a versatile ingredient that can be used to make healthy side dishes like pilafs, risottos and casseroles.
- This ancient grain is not only nutty and flavorful, it's also a great source of B-vitamins and anti-oxidants.
- Millets have been linked to improving cognitive performance in the elderly. One study found that when subjects were given millets to eat, they experienced an improvement in their cognitive function. Millets are easy to find and affordable, which means it's a great food for elderly individuals who are trying to improve their mental health.
- Millets help in lowering LDL cholesterol levels, alleviating gastrointestinal issues and even regulating blood sugar levels. All these are due to the high levels of antioxidants found in this superfood.
The International Year of Millets is a good time to celebrate all the benefits that millets provide us with, as well as its importance in our everyday lives.
Conclusion
In this article, we have discussed how millets are an important part of our food culture and how we should not forget about them in the future. We also have provided some reasons why you should consider adding millet dishes into your diet.
Try Let’sLive millets. We offer a good range of a variety of millets at our online store
Let’sLive Millets
Our millet grains are 100% all natural, hardy & resistant varieties that are cultivated using traditional methods! Used for both Human and Livestock consumption, Millets are magical superfoods that are yet to receive their due. Rich in protiens, carbs, fibre, vitamins and minerals, these are small grains that pack in a punch! Try them out today and check out for yourself!
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About Let’sLive
Let’sLive is a social empowerment enterprise committed to enhancing and improving the livelihoods of tribal and farming communities. We work directly with small-scale farmers so that our customers can get access to products that are natural, pristine, and picked from the lap of nature. We encourage and provide advice for practicing ethical farming and eco-friendly methods to all those who partner with us.
At Let'sLive we are passionate about bringing in 100% all-natural and healthy products directly from the farming and tribal communities to your doorstep like Pure Raw Honey, Traditional varieties of rice, etc. We want our consumers to enjoy and have direct access to the products that are pristine and picked directly from the lap of nature. The mandates by which we operate are:
* Value every life around us by encouraging ethical farming
* Leverage local knowledge and promote legacy harvesting practices with high hygienic standards
* No preservatives or artificial processing on any of our products
* Each product can be traced to its origins and the people involved in its making
* Educate consumers on the importance of consuming rich and natural local produce