GS Paper III

News Excerpt: 

APEDA provides assistance to registered exporters of millets under Agriculture & Processed Food Export Promotion Scheme.

APEDA’s initiatives to promote Millets:

• APEDA provides assistance to its registered exporters, including those of millets, under Agriculture & Processed Food Export Promotion Scheme of APEDA. The assistance is provided under various components of the schemes:
• Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development. 
• Buyer-Seller Meets (BSMs) are also organized in the clusters to provide export-market linkages. 
• Regular interactions, through video conferences, are held with the Indian Missions abroad, to assess and tap export opportunities. 
• APEDA has organized a comprehensive global marketing campaign showcasing India’s potential and accordingly E-catalogues of 30 importing countries and 21 millet producing states have been released.
• APEDA has also organized participation in international trade fairs like BIOFACH - Germany, Gulfood - Dubai , Natural Products Expo West - USA, facilitating exporters to present and promote their millet products in global markets. 

Major Reasons behind promoting Millets:

• Drought resistance: Millets can survive harsh climate conditions, offering solutions to food scarcity. 

• • Because they are often the only crops that can be harvested in dry seasons, millets can be a vital food source for populations vulnerable to food insecurity. 

• Millets are healthy: Millets provide antioxidants, minerals and protein. As whole grains, each millet variety also offers different types and amounts of fibre, which play a role in regulating bowel function, blood sugar and lipids.

• • The genetic diversity of millets lends itself to many diverse and innovative applications of millets in areas such as therapeutics and pharmaceuticals. 

• Millets are climate-resilient: Millets are resistant to drought and tolerant to crop diseases and pests, allowing them to survive in adverse climatic conditions.

• Millets offer promising livelihood opportunities: As other cereals have become widespread, dietary preferences have shifted and led to a decline in the production and demand for millets. 

• • By encouraging the consumption and production of these underutilized crops, we can help millets regain market share and create additional opportunities for small-scale farmers.

• Millets’ trade can diversify the global food system: Currently, millets account for less than three percent of the global grains trade. 

• • When sudden shocks affect the foodgrain market, millets can provide a valuable alternative to typically traded grains. 

 Government Initiatives for promoting Millets:

• The year 2023 was celebrated as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). 
  • The Government of India has taken a proactive multi-stakeholder engagement approach to achieve the objectives of IYM 2023 and taking Indian millets globally.

• The millets such as Ragi, Jowar and Bajra are covered under Minimum Support Price (MSP).
• An Export Promotion Forum (EPF) dedicated to promoting millets in the international market has been established. 
• The Government has been working to leverage partnerships with start-ups, academic & research institutions, Indian missions, processors, retailers and exporters to promote Indian millets in the global markets.
• A separate millet-specific web portal has been developed containing information about millets, their health benefits, production and export statistics, millet exporter’s directory etc. 
• A Virtual trade fair (VTF) for millets has been developed and made available for exporters and importers from across the globe providing a single platform to interact and negotiate business deals. VTF is operational for 24X7, 365 days.

Millets production in India:

• Below figure shows the area under cultivation of millets has ranged from 12.29 to 15.48 million hectares from 2013-14 to 2021-22 and the top 5 Millet exporting states of India during 2022-23:

Conclusion:

APEDA's concerted efforts to promote millets on both domestic and international fronts showcase India's commitment to harnessing the potential of these climate-resilient and nutritious grains. Through comprehensive initiatives, partnerships, and global outreach, India aims to revitalize millet production, foster food security, and enhance livelihood opportunities for farmers.