31/05/2022
Millets- The super grain
Known as the powerhouse among most grains, Millets are India’s gift to the world of nutrition. Over 5000 years, Indians have consumed millets as the most potent source of energy. Millets is a common term used for multiple small grains from the same family. Most of us may not understand the term millets, as we may be knowing each and every grain separately. For the sake of understanding- all the small grains like- , , Vari, (Nagli/Nachni), Kodo, Pearl etc are known as millets in English.
Just about 50-60 years ago, millets were the staple food for majority of the Indians. With the Green revolution and the governments blinded philosophy of following a western model of agriculture, wheat became a favorite with farmers due to its yield. Millets were looked down upon by the urban educated population as the food of the poor or of our rural ancestors. This was due to the following of a standardized western model of agriculture, leading millets to be discarded as primitive. Millets are arid zone crops which don’t require a lot of irrigation. These crops are particularly suitable to small farmers. But this will not fill the coffers of big fertilizer and multinational seed companies who started a campaign against millets and promoted rice and wheat which are water guzzlers.
Its time we migrate back to consuming . This is not only good for your health but also for the environment as these crops needs less amount of water. They are profitable for the small time farmers and its gluten free too. Another unique aspect of millets is that they do not rot so easily. Almost 40% of food produced in India is wasted due to rotting and insects. Millets are sustainable, ecological and nutritional. It’s a super grain, powerhouse and a super food. India’s National Nutrition Mission, the Abhiyan has advised all state governments to include millets in their public food systems.
Millets are easily available and can be consumed in a variety of ways. We have various millet items like Millet rusks, Millet noodles, Millet sevaiya, Millet Pasta, Multi millet apart from Millet mixes and millet flour. India being such a vast and diverse country, that we need to learn what are the local names of across the country. We may be consuming but we may identify them with a different local name. s
Millets are healthy, they are a super food, lets make them trendy and fashionable.
Please do visit our store for various millet products- Shree Raam Foods, Thane. You can also call on 9152657221/ 25427221 for more details.
Pankaj Athawale Health Millets Poshanabhiyan Dwarka
