Addressing the inaugural session of the three-day International Millets Conference here on Thursday, he said that global agricultural productivity was expected to come down by 20 per cent by 2050. \u201cOn one hand, productivity is coming down, on the other, we are supposed to feed more people. By 2050, we have to provide food to 9.2 billion. A large number of people across the globe are suffering from hidden hunger,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Stating that millets would help in addressing the challenge of nutritional deficiencies, he said millets could also withstand high temperatures.<\/p>\n
\n- \nAlso read: India\u2019s H1FY25 pulses imports rise 73 per cent to $2.18 billion<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Sagar Hanuman Singh, Director-General of the National Institute of Plant Health Management (NIPHM), said that there was a good opportunity for millet exports. \u201cExports are mostly happening to African region and Middle-East. We can explore opportunities in exporting millets to Europe, the US, and Southeast Asia,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Experts at the inaugural session felt that the momentum that the International Year of Millets provided last year should be carried forward. <\/p>\n
Ch Srinivas Rao, Director of ICAR-NAARM (The National Academy of Agricultural Research Management), said there was a need to address production barriers and make millet cultivation remunerative. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to work on growing millets, keeping in mind the regional food habits. We should also provide market linkages. There is a need to promote aggregation (of the produce),\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
R Hemalatha, former Director of the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), said that about 70-90 per cent of calories that people consumed came from refined grains. \u201cWe pay little importance to consuming vegetables,\u201d she said. \u201cMillets with complex carbohydrates and high fibre content help stabilise blood sugar. And, stable blood sugar levels avoid spikes and dips, ensuring consistent energy and mood,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
\n- \nAlso read: IFBA releases report on food wastage, suggests policy actions and global collaboration<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
B Daytakar Rao, Chief Executive Officer of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, said that millets were no longer an option. \u201cIt is an imperative for us to embrace millets,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe should not be asking consumers to eat whatever we produce. We should provide options to consumers and allow them to choose the ones they prefer,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n