Latest news with #InternationalYearofMillets
India Gazette
4 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
CISF's
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): In a significant stride towards MHA's 'Shri Anna' mission for sustainable health in CAPFs, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has exceeded target for millet (Shri Anna) consumption across its 434 Units and Formations across the country, said CISF in a press statement on Thursday. This remarkable accomplishment underscores CISF's commitment to the MHA initiative to promote these traditional nutritious grains among its personnel, their families, and the wider citizenry. The journey to this achievement began with the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets,' a testament to India's persistent efforts. Following this, the Ministry of Home Affairs mandated on 04.05.2023 the inclusion of millets in the daily diet of all Central Armed Police Forces for the financial year 2023-24, with a specific target of 30 per cent Shri Anna in the daily diet of jawans for 2024-25, added the statement further. Through daily roll calls, briefings, Sainik Sammelans and other meetings, jawans were consistently educated about the benefits of millets. Welfare activities actively involve family members, encouraging them to embrace Shri Anna in their home diets. Millet-based dishes are also making their way into government functions as healthy refreshments. In a testament to innovative promotion, CISF has launched a unique booklet titled 'Shri Anna Sarathi.' This comprehensive guide features diverse millet recipes from across India, highlights the Forces' efforts, includes feedback from cooks and even shares inspiring stories of health improvements among Force members who have adopted millets. A digital version is readily available on the CISF website, ensuring wide accessibility. 100 per cent of CISF cooks have been trained in preparing delicious millet dishes. The Force has organised an astounding 1,110 seminars, webinars and workshops, alongside 662 lectures by dietitians and doctors, to impart knowledge and dispel misconceptions. CISF units have organised 335 highly successful exhibitions, or 'Millet Melas,' offering the public and CISF families a practical demonstration of how easy it is to incorporate millets into their diets. These melas provided a crucial opportunity for people to taste a variety of millet-based dishes, effectively clearing any doubts and encouraging wider adoption. Millet products are now readily available in Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar (Central Police Welfare Store) outlets to further facilitate consumption. Millets, often hailed as 'the first crops' and 'crops of the future,' are nutritional powerhouses. These climate-smart grains require minimal water, fertilisers, or pesticides and are incredibly resilient to drought and insects. While challenges like inconsistent supply chains and limited public awareness have historically hindered millet adoption, CISF's extraordinary efforts are actively breaking down these barriers. By leading through example and empowering its personnel and their families with knowledge and delicious options, CISF is playing a pivotal role in the Government of India's vision of promoting millets for the benefit of cultivators, consumers and the climate. This success story is a shining example of how consistent effort and innovative strategies can drive positive change for health and sustainability across the nation. (ANI)
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Sangrur farmer to export ready-to-eat millets for health-conscious Canadians
Chandigarh: Having successfully exported nine millet types to Australia last year, a Sangrur-based grower is now targeting the health-conscious Punjabi diaspora in Canada with a new consignment of ready-to-eat millets ready for shipment next week. This expansion, fuelled by online visibility and positive word-of-mouth, also sees him catering to a growing local market of individuals and millet-biscuit factories. After returning from Australia five years ago, Dilpreet Singh, from Rajpura village in Sangrur, made a conscious shift from traditional wheat-paddy farming to millet cultivation. Setting his own standards, he adopted a chemical-free approach. "We have established complete end-to-end control over the value chain, handling primary and secondary processing, including international-quality packaging, within our own unit," he said. Embarking on millet exports wasn't without initial hurdles. The stringent Australian "nil germination" requirement necessitated the creation of a customised steaming plant on Dilpreet's farm. "Even the Punjab Agricultural University couldn't offer a solution," he recalled, emphasising a year of trial and error. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Following the successful shipment of 14.3 tonnes to Australia last year, preparations are now underway for exports to Canada. Highlighting the diverse ways millets are consumed, he explained, "The Punjabi diaspora abroad typically uses Ragi, Jowar, and Bajra as flours, but South Indian communities prefer them as a rice alternative. As for me, I just had brown top millet cooked like rice for lunch." The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations recognised 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) to raise awareness about the health, nutritional, and environmental benefits of millets. Dilpreet lamented that the state govt can do a lot more in supporting millet cultivation. "Markfed, for instance, could easily integrate millets into their Sohna product line. Yet, they cite a lack of local supply and procure from Haryana. This leaves millet-growing farmers here without adequate buyers – a frustrating paradox," he said. Fluctuating prices in the local market pose another challenge. "During the International Year of Millets, brown top fetched Rs 85 per kg, only to plummet to Rs 28 per kg as raw material afterwards," Dilpreet explained. To counter this, he tried to carve out a niche by pre-soaking, dehydrating, and de-husking his millets, extending their shelf life to two years compared to the typical three months. "This value addition also enhances digestibility and imparts a pleasant aroma," he added. Dilpreet directly markets his homegrown millets online to health-conscious buyers and also supplies Markfed, Punjab Agro, millet restaurants, and millet-based biscuit factories. For his export ventures, including the upcoming consignment to Canada , he also sources millets from Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, in addition to those grown on his 14-acre farm.
Zawya
07-03-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman explores millet cultivation for the first time
Seeking to reduce the country's dependence on grain imports for its basic food requirements, the Sultanate of Oman is weighing the introduction of millet cultivation for the first time. Millets encompass a diverse group of cereals well-known for their mineral, protein and antioxidant rich properties. The fibre content of these grains is also known to play an important role in regulating intestinal function, blood sugar levels, and lipid metabolism. Lately, millet has been the focus of growing global attention as a cost-effective alternative that can contribute to strengthening food security. Pondering the introduction of millet cultivation domestically is Oman Flour Mills (OFM), one of the country's largest food companies majority-owned by the government through Nitaj (Oman Food Investment Holding Company). Nitaj represents the food sector investment arm of Oman Investment Authority (OIA). Commenting on the company's vision for millet cultivation in Oman, Ahmed bin Ali al Bulushi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at OFM Group, said: 'OFM is in the final stages of importing millet seeds, with plans to cultivate millets in Oman to capitalise on the country's favourable growing conditions and diversify agricultural production.' The planned foray into millet cultivation is in line with OFM's mandate to secure access to grain commodities – chiefly wheat, corn and barley – in a timely manner and at cost-competitive rates. In support of this goal, the company has invested in silo complexes in Muscat and Suhar for the storage of imported grain, as well as adequate milling capacity. OFM also ranks among the largest players in Oman's feed mill sector, which is an important source of different types of feed for the country's livestock, poultry and fish farms as well. Significantly, Oman's proposed venture into millet cultivation aligns with a global shift towards the inclusion of these cereals in national diets due to their affordability and health benefits. Underscoring this shift, the UN General Assembly, in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) during its 75th session. Millets are also known to adapt to harsh climate conditions, making the drought-resistant crop particularly suitable for cultivation in countries like Oman. Besides strengthening food security, millet cultivation is also expected to open up opportunities for small-scale farmers, helping them supplement incomes from the farming of wheat, as well as fruits and vegetables. In 2024, around 10,000 tonnes of locally grown Omani wheat were procured by OFM directly from farmers under a Subsidised Wheat Procurement Programme initiated in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. It represented a 100 per cent increase in procurement last year, up from around 5,000 tonnes a year earlier. 2022 © All right reserved for Oman Establishment for Press, Publicatio and Advertising (OEPPA) Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Observer
06-03-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman explores millet cultivation for the first time
Seeking to reduce the country's dependence on grain imports for its basic food requirements, the Sultanate of Oman is weighing the introduction of millet cultivation for the first time. Millets encompass a diverse group of cereals well-known for their mineral, protein and antioxidant rich properties. The fibre content of these grains is also known to play an important role in regulating intestinal function, blood sugar levels, and lipid metabolism. Lately, millet has been the focus of growing global attention as a cost-effective alternative that can contribute to strengthening food security. Pondering the introduction of millet cultivation domestically is Oman Flour Mills (OFM), one of the country's largest food companies majority-owned by the government through Nitaj (Oman Food Investment Holding Company). Nitaj represents the food sector investment arm of Oman Investment Authority (OIA). Commenting on the company's vision for millet cultivation in Oman, Ahmed bin Ali al Bulushi, Chairman of the Board of Directors at OFM Group, said: 'OFM is in the final stages of importing millet seeds, with plans to cultivate millets in Oman to capitalise on the country's favourable growing conditions and diversify agricultural production.' The planned foray into millet cultivation is in line with OFM's mandate to secure access to grain commodities – chiefly wheat, corn and barley – in a timely manner and at cost-competitive rates. In support of this goal, the company has invested in silo complexes in Muscat and Suhar for the storage of imported grain, as well as adequate milling capacity. OFM also ranks among the largest players in Oman's feed mill sector, which is an important source of different types of feed for the country's livestock, poultry and fish farms as well. Significantly, Oman's proposed venture into millet cultivation aligns with a global shift towards the inclusion of these cereals in national diets due to their affordability and health benefits. Underscoring this shift, the UN General Assembly, in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) during its 75th session. Millets are also known to adapt to harsh climate conditions, making the drought-resistant crop particularly suitable for cultivation in countries like Oman. Besides strengthening food security, millet cultivation is also expected to open up opportunities for small-scale farmers, helping them supplement incomes from the farming of wheat, as well as fruits and vegetables. In 2024, around 10,000 tonnes of locally grown Omani wheat were procured by OFM directly from farmers under a Subsidised Wheat Procurement Programme initiated in cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Water Resources. It represented a 100 per cent increase in procurement last year, up from around 5,000 tonnes a year earlier.
