Experts in the field of food and agricultural systems have emphasized the need to build a millet ecosystem in Karnataka to address nutritional deficiency issues and benefit both consumers and cultivators. The ongoing three-day millet mela in Mysuru serves as a platform to discuss means of promoting millet as a solution and to resolve issues related to its distribution, cultivation, and consumption. The event, organized by Sahaja Samrudha and other organizations, has brought together multiple stakeholders for a round table discussion. Representatives from farmer producer companies, scientists, farmers, volunteer representatives, processors, and food industries from Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh participated in the discussion.
During the round table, stakeholders passed a resolution demanding the distribution of millets through the public distribution system (PDS) and incentivizing millet growers. They also called for the purchase of millets at a minimum support price to support farmers who grow millets and to popularize millet consumption. The round table also highlighted the importance of providing nutritional security to people. In addition, stakeholders pushed for the convergence of labor in millet farming system with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) to reduce the cost of cultivation.
Other key resolutions included advocating for the introduction of millets in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programmes, Indira canteens, and mobile canteens. Stakeholders also urged the government to establish a Millet Board for the promotion of millets and recommended the inclusion of region-specific millet products in ICDS. Creating a systematic channel for millet distribution, establishing a knowledge center, and setting a minimum support price for all millets were also among the resolutions.
The round table discussions also highlighted successful millet promotion initiatives in other states. Sakshi Jaimini, policy coordinator of the RRA Network, shared insights from the ‘Odisha Millet Mission’ scheme and emphasized the increasing demand for millets and their benefits to farmers. Shruti Mengade, Coordinator of ‘Pragati Abhiyan’ in Maharashtra, discussed efforts in millet cultivation in tribal areas. Prakash Kammardi, former chairman of the Agricultural Price Commission, stressed the importance of setting crop prices scientifically.
The organizers of the millet mela, Sahaja Samridha, aimed to bring millets to the mainstream and position them as a solution addressing both nutrition security and climate change. Sahaja Samridha Associate-Director Anita Reddy highlighted the objectives of the event, emphasizing the need to continue the millet movement beyond 2023, observed as the International Year of Millets. The discussions also covered topics such as millet processing, food diversity in millets, and nutritional analysis.
In conclusion, experts and stakeholders are advocating for the development of a millet ecosystem in Karnataka through various initiatives and policy interventions. By promoting millet consumption, supporting millet growers, and ensuring the distribution of millets through government programs, they aim to address nutritional deficiencies and achieve nutrition security for the people of Karnataka.
