Lok Sabha Question No. 4386 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-28
Subject: Millet Based Products
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4386

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 th  MARCH, 2023

## MILLET BASED PRODUCTS

4386. SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR REDDY: Will  the  Minister  of  AGRICULTURE  AND  FARMERS  WELFARE क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether poor demand for millet based products and low public awareness of their benefits have resulted in only 13 out of the 40 food stalls at the recently held G20 International Food Festival where 'International year of Millets' and 'Taste the World' are the main themes of the festivals; (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; (c) whether  the  Government  is  laying  emphasis  on  promoting  millet-based products at Government events, canteens and kitchens, however, food stall owners say  there  is  inadequate  demand  for  millet-based  products  as  consumers  do  not prefer them though the consumer base of millet-based products has grown over the past two years but its reach is limited to health conscious people only; (d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and (e) the corrective steps being taken by the Government to encourage people to

- use millet products?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ षि एवं षकसान कल्याण मंत्री (SHRI NARENDRA SINGH TOMAR) (a)

- to  (e):  In  order  to  celebrate  India's  G-20  presidency  and  to  generate awareness about the G-20 summit, New Delhi Municipal Committee (NDMC) had organized a G-20 themed Food Festival at Talkatora Indoor Stadium from 11th to 12th  February  2023.  The  main  aim  of  the  G-20  food  festival  was  to  spread awareness about and taste the International food delicacies. All the G-20 member countries and guest countries were invited to participate in this G-20 Food Festival,

out  of  which,  Japan,  China  and  Turkey  participated  in  the  food  festival.  Cuisines from  various  States  such  as  Manipur,  Mizoram,  Punjab,  Gujarat,  Tamil  Nadu, Telangana, Bihar, Kashmir, Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Delhi, etc. was enjoyed in the food festival.  Towards celebration of International year of Millets (IYM)  -  2023,  Ministry  of  Agriculture  put  up  the  stalls  for  Millet  foods  and  almost 1/3rd of the stalls were allotted to Millet foods. These Millet based products in the G20 Food Festival received overwhelming response.

In view of International Year of Millets, the Government of India is implementing a multi  stakeholder  approach  towards  celebration  of  IYM-2023.  The  action  plan  of IYM-2023 focuses on strategies to enhance production and productivity, consumption, export, strengthening value chain, branding, creating awareness for health benefits etc. Further, month wise action plans have been prepared by Central Ministries,  State  Governments  and  Indian  Embassies  to  create  awareness  about millets for increasing production and demand.

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