MIIRA

 

Context: On the premises of G20, India is planning to propose the launch of a global initiative 'MIIRA' to encourage the consumption and production of millets.

What are Millets?

Millets are a group of small-seeded grasses that are commonly cultivated and consumed as staple foods in many parts of the world, including Africa and Asia.

Millets are highly nutritious, gluten-free, and have a low glycemic index, making them an ideal food for people with various dietary requirements and health conditions.

They are cereals such as sorghum (jowar), pearl millet (bajra), foxtail millet (kangni/ Italian millet), little millet (kutki), kodo millet, finger millet (ragi/ mandua), proso millet (cheena/ common millet), barnyard millet (sawa/ sanwa/ jhangora), and brown top millet (korale).

What is MIIRA? "MIIRA" or Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness will be aimed at coordinating millet research programmes at the international level.

For MIIRA to take off, India will contribute the "seed money" while each G20 member will later have to contribute to its budget in the form of a membership fee.

The secretariat will be in Delhi, the sources said, adding that this will, with India being a major producer of millets, ensure a flow of investment from the country's industry and research bodies.

It is in line with the UN declaring 2023 as the 'International Year of Millets' and the Centre's plan to make India a global hub for millets.

It is launched keeping in mind the nutritional value and the climate-resilient nature of millets.

Key objectives: MIIRA will aim to connect millet research organisations across the world while also supporting research on millet crops.

Besides setting up a web platform to connect researchers and holding international research conferences, the plan is also to promote millet consumption by raising awareness.

Ecological significance of millets

1. Drought resistance: 

Millets are drought-resistant crops, which means that they can grow in areas with low rainfall and are less susceptible to the effects of drought. 

This makes them an ideal crop for farmers in regions that are prone to drought and other climate-related risks.

2. Soil health: 

Millets have shallow roots and can grow in poor soil, which means that they can be cultivated in marginal lands that are unsuitable for other crops. 

Millets also improve soil health by enhancing soil organic matter, reducing soil erosion, and improving soil structure and fertility.

3. Low carbon footprint: 

Millets have a low carbon footprint compared to other crops because they require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides. 

They are also less energy-intensive to produce and transport.

4. Resilience to climate change: 

Millets are known for their resilience to climate change and extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts. 

By promoting the cultivation and consumption of millets, countries can build resilience to the impacts of climate change and ensure food security in the face of these challenges.

5. Biodiversity conservation: 

Millets are often grown in mixed cropping systems, which promote biodiversity and can help conserve natural resources. 

The cultivation of millets also supports the conservation of traditional knowledge and local agricultural practices, which can be important for the resilience of rural communities in the face of climate change.

Recent initiatives to promote Millets:

Finance Minister described various types of millets as 'Shree Anna' in her budget speech.

To make India a global hub for Shree Anna, the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence.

In 2018, the Agriculture Ministry declared some millets as 'Nutri Cereals' for their "high nutritive value".

How popular are millets globally?

Now grown in more than 130 countries, millets are the traditional food for more than half a billion people in Asia and Africa.

Globally, jowar is the most widely grown millet crop; its major producers are the US, China, Australia, India, Argentina, Nigeria, and Sudan.

Bajra, another major millet crop, is mainly grown in some African countries and India, where millets are mainly a kharif crop.