INDIA’S INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT TO UNITE NATIONS

STUDY GUIDE

COMMITTEE: NITI AAYOG

AGENDA: ANALYSING THE PROGRESS OF ‘SREE ANNA’ -

MILLETS MOVEMENT
 MANDATE

NITI Aayog, short for the National Institution for Transforming India, was established on
January 1, 2015, after the dissolution of the Planning Commission of India by a Union
Cabinet resolution. The current chairman of NITI Aayog is Prime Minister Narendra Modi,
and the current vice-chairman is Shri Suman Berry. NITI Aayog is not a constitutional or
statutory body but an advisory body, also known as the think tank of the Indian government.
Its establishment aims to accelerate the country's economic growth and promote cooperative
federalism. NITI Aayog follows a bottom-up approach.

INTRODUCTION
The year 2023 was referred to as the International Year of Millets after recognizing the
proposal given by India in the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)
in March 2021. Considering the multiple benefits millets hold, 2023 was seen as a year to
spread awareness among countries and grow and cultivate millets. Shree Anna Millet
Movement aims to promote the consumption of millets and increase awareness of their
nutritional benefits. The movement is named after Shri. Anna Durai, a social activist who
worked towards the welfare of farmers and the rural population in India. The movement was
launched in 2018 and aims to increase awareness about the health benefits of millets, promote
millet-based products, and create a market for millets among farmers, consumers, and other
stakeholders.

India’s Millet Policy

The Indian government has taken several steps to support the movement, such as declaring
millet (superfood) as “Nutri-cereals” in 2018. The government has also launched the Millet
Mission to support millet farmers in India. The Indian Institute of Millets Research ICAR
was declared a Global Centre of Excellence, after India's proposal and efforts, the United
Nations declared 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets

The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, inaugurated the Global Millets Conference
in 2023, an annual event organised as part of the Shree Anna Millet Movement, where
important issues are discussed by experts, researchers, and stakeholders related to millets,
including promotion and awareness of millets millets’ value chain development; health and
nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages; research and development, etc. The conference
also provides a platform for startups to showcase their millet-based products

India is well placed to raise output and drive exports to tap into a growing global market.
India produces more than 170 lakh tons ( 80% of Asia’s & 20% of global production) of
millet. The global millet market was valued at $9.95 Billion in 2020 and is projected to reach
$14.14 Billion in 2028, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2021 to 2028.

However, the millet supply chain suffers from inconsistent supply and demand that prevents
its commercial viability. Lack of public awareness about the nutritional benefit of millet has
led to limited adoption of millet-based products. Limited distribution and lack of market
knowledge have led to sub-optimal reach, lower price realisation, and wastage.

What are millets and their Importance?

Millets are a group of highly variable, widely grown around the world as cereal crops or
grains with high nutritional content for human food and as fodder providing food security to
millions of households and contributing to the economic efficiency of farming.

Traditionally, India has had a high rate of millet consumption and cultivation. Resilient to
climate change, Millets are hardy crops that have a low carbon and water footprint. They can
grow on poor soils with little or no external inputs and can withstand high temperatures,
making them ideal for the diverse physiographic divisions of India.

They are gluten-free, non-allergenic, and good sources of proteins, carbohydrates, dietary
fibre, and essential amino acids. The most important species in India include – Foxtail Millet,
Finger Millet, Barnyard Millet, Browntop Millet, Little Millet, Kodo Millet, Pearl Millet,
Proso Millet, and Sorghum.

Goals and Objectives Set in Sree Anna

In its pursuit to create an innovation-driven India and celebrate the International Year of
Millets, Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog has launched 4 challenges of national
importance and societal relevance. The solutions to these challenges will help bridge the gaps
in the millet supply chain – promoting sustainable production, enhanced nutrition, wider
acceptance, and increased consumption.
Millets have the potential to help achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), mainly
SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 12 (Sustainable
Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

HISTORY
Origins of the 'Sree Anna' Millets Movement
The Green Revolution of the 1960s was the major shift of the focus from millets to rice and
wheat in Indian agriculture as they were easy to produce using high-yielding-variety (HYV)
seeds. However, considering the current situation the government brought its focus back to
millets taking into consideration its ability to promote food security, sustainable agriculture,
etc. India declared 2018 as the National Year of Millets. The United Nations declared 2023
as the International Year of Millets to raise awareness about millets among the member states.
India gave the term Sree Anna meaning a food grain that has divine grace to refer to the
millet.

Milestones and key events in the movement's development.

The government implemented measures such as Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana and minimum
support prices (MSP) for major millet to incentivize farmers and make millet cultivation
profitable. These initiatives played a crucial role in making millet cultivation a viable option
for farmers in terms of economic benefits. Millets have been included in the Poshan Abhiyan
under various public distribution systems underscoring the government's emphasis on millets
as a key element in nutritional programs.

Evolution of millet farming practices over time

Millet farming practices have evolved over thousands of years and have been traditional
crops in many parts of the world. Millets played a vital role in the agricultural systems of
ancient civilizations, becoming staple foods for sustenance. Traditional farming practices for
millets included direct seeding, manual cultivation, and reliance on natural rainfall. Millets
became integrated into local diets and culinary traditions, serving as a primary source of
nutrition in many communities. However, the advent of modern agriculture brought about
changes in farming practices, and the cultivation of millet declined in many regions in the
20th century. Nowadays millets are increasingly recognized as important components of
global food systems, contributing to food security, climate resilience, and sustainable
agriculture.
 CURRENT SCENARIO
Present status of the 'Sree Anna' Millets Movement
In India, multiple steps towards the promotion, production, consumption, exports, and various
other aspects have been taken into consideration by the central and state governments to
create a strategy that makes the vision of the Year of Millets 2023 a success. A notable
increase in the export of millet from India can be seen. India is among the top 5 exporters of
millet.

Participation and support from farmers and communities

Although the production of millets has comparatively increased over time the land under
millet cultivation is still less compared to other crops. Farmers grow millets mostly as a
rotation crop to bring back the fertility of soil naturally. The decreasing profitability and lack
of proper promotion of millets which leads to less earnings for the farmers over the years
have compelled them to shift towards alternative crops.

Adoption of millet-based farming techniques

Millets are crops that can tolerate drought conditions and are predominantly grown during the
kharif season. These crops can serve as both food grains and fodder for animals. By
implementing millets-based farming practices, such as backyard poultry, farmers can generate
additional income by utilizing by-products and farm waste. Millet-based intercropping is
another farming technique that can increase the productivity of the land and produce much
better quality grains.

Impact on local economies and sustainable agriculture

● The impact of the millet movement on the local economy is both positive and
negative. Positive aspects include diversification and resilience in agriculture,
economic opportunities for farmers, and improved food security. Negative aspects
include limited market, processing infrastructure, cultural resistance, and affordability
concerns.
● Millets help in sustainable agriculture as they can be grown in different climatic
conditions and they require less water. Growing millets increases soil fertility and is
the best crop to grow for the crop rotation period. They are also a very good source
for decarbonisation as studies have shown that they convert relatively more carbon
 dioxide to oxygen than others.

Challenges faced by the movement

Though the agriculture department has doubled the millet cultivation area, challenges still
seem to persist. The agriculture department has yet to provide proper storage for millets and
also look into the matter of market intervention. Subsidies for the same have also been
delayed by 10-12 months which puts the farmer in a lot of loss as they need cash to produce
another crop. There is no Minimum Support Price (MSP) set and the proper market study is
also not done which makes the farmers unsure, of whether or how much to produce millet.
There is a lack of knowledge about the multiple health benefits of millet which leads to its
low demand.

Market access and distribution issues

A major decline was witnessed in the production and consumption of millet over the years
after the Green Revolution due to the shift in the dietary preferences of people. The area for
millet cultivation has also declined by 70% since the year 1950’s. Due to a lack of proper
infrastructure and transport systems, issues are faced in the distribution process of millet from
rural areas to other parts of the country.

Government policies and regulations

● The scheme called Production Linked Incentive Scheme by The Ministry of Food
Processing Industries (MoFPI) is introduced for the Food Processing Industry for
Millet-based products (PLISMBP) for the period of 2022-23 to 2026-27.
● The government has included millets in the Public Distribution System (PDS) to give
these grains a proper market.
● The Ministry of Women and Child Development has also included Sree Anna under
their Poshan Abhiyan.
● Startups based on Sree Anna are being promoted by the government to increase the
demand for coarse-grains (millets).

Awareness and education barriers

There is a lack of awareness among people about the nutritional and environmental benefits
of Sree Anna. The government is bonding ties with non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
to raise awareness about millets. The NGOs conduct workshops and campaigns to enlighten
the common masses about the various health benefits of millets and also to break myths like
the consideration of millets as an underprivileged person’s diet.

PROPOSED SOLUTION
Declaration of Millets as Nutri-Cereals (2018)
In 2018, India officially recognized millets as nutri-cereals. This was a big step to highlight
their nutritional value and encourage farmers to grow them. The government wanted farmers
to know about the health benefits of millet and to include them in their crops. Making this
motto successful government led to awareness campaigns and educational programs to teach
farmers about the advantages of growing millet.

One District, One Product' Scheme

The 'One District, One Product' plan focuses on millets in 19 districts across India. By
choosing millets in these districts, the government aims to boost millet production using local
expertise and conditions. The plan includes financial support and technology help for farmers
to grow millets successfully. The goal is to improve farming and create economic
opportunities for local communities.

National Food Security Mission (NFSM)

The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) targets coarse cereals, including millet, in 14
states. The mission provides financial aid, technology help, and training programs. By
focusing on specific states where coarse cereals grow well, the NFSM wants to positively
impact food security in the entire country.

PM POSHAN
In 2021, PM POSHAN got approval, with a special mention of millets. This is a step to
improve the nutrition of school meals. By adding millet to these meals, the government wants
to fight malnutrition and encourage healthier eating habits among school children. This
decision follows global nutritional trends and aims to use traditional, nutritious grains to
address modern health challenges.
Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness (MIIRA)
MIIRA, an upcoming initiative, shows India's commitment to promoting millets globally.
This initiative aims to encourage research, innovation, and collaboration in millet production
and consumption. By launching MIIRA, India wants to lead in promoting millet as a
sustainable and nutritious food source. The initiative will include awareness campaigns,
research partnerships, and knowledge exchange programs to create a global network
supporting millets. Through MIIRA, India aims to start a worldwide movement recognizing
and using millets to achieve global food security and sustainable agriculture goals.

SUGGESTED MODERATED CAUCUS TOPICS

1. Discussing the nutritional merits of millets regarding the Indian diet.

2. Analysing the impact of millet cultivation on the climate.
3. Deliberating a national framework for the inclusion of millets under the Public
Distribution System (PDS).
4. Discussing India's soft power in terms of Millet production and export.
5. Discuss strategies to enhance the awareness among various communities about
millets.
6. Coming up with ways to empower the farmers economically through millet
cultivation.
7. Discussing the role of SHGs and Women Groups in the development of Millets
infrastructure in India.
8. Analysing how millet cultivation can tackle the challenges of global food security
issues.
9. Examining the major challenges to millet cultivation and lack of enthusiasm among
farmers.
10. Discuss ways to promote more millet-based startups.
 RESEARCH LINKS
(Note: Delegates, some of the links are only meant for light reading and thus are not
highlighted, Only refer to the highlighted sources as valid proof as others may or may not be
accepted as a source of proof in the Council. The decision of the Presiding Officer regarding
the acceptable sources is Final and Binding.)

1. https://www.niti.gov.in/
2. https://www.fao.org/millets-2023/en#:~:text=The%20United%20Nations%20Ge
neral%20Assembly,of%20Millets%20(IYM%202023).
3. https://unric.org/en/millets-good-for-people-the-environment-and-farmers/#:~:text=M
illets%20require%20less%20water%20than,change%20and%20depleting%20natural
%20resources.
4. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/voices/the-importance-of-millets-in-todays-
global-scenario/
5. https://aim.gov.in/anic-millet-challenge.php
6. https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/millet
7. https://themillet.org/millets-and-the-environment/
8. https://www.britannica.com/plant/millet-plant
9. https://apeda.gov.in/milletportal/about_us.html
10. https://thewire.in/agriculture/government-thrust-millets-health-benefits
11. https://idronline.org/article/advocacy-government/mainstreaming-millets-throug
h-the-public-distribution-system/
12. https://www.britannica.com/topic/organic-farming
13. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/solution-and-way-towards-sustainable-agriculture
14. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/miira-india-readies-plan-to-popularise-millets-
15. https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2023/08/millets-food-security-climate-change/
16. https://apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/SubHead_Products/Indian_Millets.htm
17. https://www.thebetterindia.com/332580/millet-based-startups-helping-farmers-ragi
18. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/indias-move-to-mainstre
am-millets-will-go-a-long-way-in-ensuring-global-food-security-un/articleshow/1035
19. https://www.fao.org/fao-stories/article/en/c/1628815/
20. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/cons-products/food/food-of-the-future
-the-business-and-economy-of-super-grains/articleshow/99336226.cms?from=mdr