National Year of Millets - 2018

A couple of years ago a family friend suggested us to try millets in order to have a better control on diabetes. As I am diabetic for over a decade, my wife took special interest in this experiment.  On    day-1, as usual I had 3 rice-dosas  and checked for sugar level post breakfast, which was about '195'.  On day 2, we prepared millet dosas and I consumed 3 dosas and checked for sugar level post breakfast. We were pleasantly surprised when it read just '135'! Since then millet dishes have become a regular feature of our family diet and we are witnessing consistent results.

Karnataka leads.....
Karnataka is leading in millet cultivation.  Both the Government and farmers are taking special interest in spreading awareness about the good effects of millets consumption.  Just 4 years ago, area under millet cultivation was just 4000 hectares and today it has reached 94,000 hectares rising the hopes of Karnataka farmers!  Today in almost all grain shops in Karnataka, various types of millets are available for sale.  Shopkeepers say that the sale of millets is picking up day by day.  Buoyed by all these developments, Karnataka Government took initiative to hold the 3-day 'Organics & Millet 2018 International Trade Fair' at Bengaluru (19-21 Jan 2018).  This grand mela was well attended and the much impressed Central Government has declared the year 2018, as the 'National Year of Millets'.

What are Millets?

Millets are being cultivated since more than 10,000 years especially in Asia.  Millets are a group of small seeded grasses (see pic.above) which are drought resistant and grown on dry land. They are short term crops.  Their cultivation cost is said to be very economical when compared to the high water consuming rice and even wheat! In this era of ever decreasing rainfall, switching over to millet cultivation and consumption may be the answer to fight shortage of water. As per one study 4000 litres of irrigated water is required for producing 1 Kg. of rice whereas this cost is virtually zero for millets, as its cultivation is totally rain-fed!


Presently millets are being sold in shops at a price of about Rs.70-80 per Kg giving good relief to our ever suffering farmers.  Compared to the traditional crops of rice and wheat whose cost of cultivation is very high, millet cultivation is  ensuring better profit to our farmers.

One of the pioneers in popularizing millets as staple food to control diseases and improve health, is Dr.Khader (see pic above), Food & Nutrient expert from Mysuru. He claims that switching over to millet diet for six months can totally cure type-2 diabetes!

Benefits of Millets 

Compared to rice and wheat, millets are nutritionally superior and have high medicinal value because of their high fibre content, higher protein and the essential amino acids.  They are rich in Iron, Calcium and other minerals too.  Their insoluble fibre content ensures slow release of carbohydrates enabling better control of diabetes.  The use of these grains is also ideal for fighting obesity, constipation, cancer and heart diseases too.

Millet dishes.....

There are about 6-8 different varieties of millets.  Each of them can be used separately or even as a mixture to prepare a variety of dishes like Pongal, Bisi-bele bath, Dosa, Idli, Upma etc. The methods of preparation are same as that of rice/wheat.  Even rice can be cooked from millets for meals.  With some trial and error efforts, consumers can master millet cooking. When consumed hot, the dishes would be as tasty as the preparations of rice and wheat.  But the nutritional and health benefits outweigh the taste aspects. 

Mouth-watering Millet Meals!

In southern parts of  India, Pearl Millet (jowar) roti and Finger Millet (ragi) ball meals are very popular since many years.  They are tasty and highly nutritious.

Father of our green revolution Dr.M.S.Swaminathan (see inset in the Pic) too is a great advocate of the water saving and drought resistant millets, as a great source of health and nutrition. He has recommended to the United Nations to declare 2018 as the International Year of Millets!

Therefore switching over to millets can be a win-win game for all stakeholders including farmers, traders and the consuming public. Besides it can be our country's answer to the twin challenges of  depleting water sources and the ever increasing cost of cultivation.

(Notes: I have referred to a few sites and articles.  Thanks to all of them.  Also I am neither a doctor and nor a dietitian.  Please consult your family doctor on all health related tips).
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