Lok Sabha Question No. 709 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Nutritional Security
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Janardan Singh Sigriwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## INISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.709

TO BE ANSWERED ON 7TH FEBRUARY, 2024

## NUTRITIONAL  SECURITY

## 709,  SHRI JANARDAN SINGH SIGRIWAL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION aT#lwT qm8,  eTH gk  qT4ffqq  fqHwr THt be  pleased to  state:

- (a) whether the Government has any plans to  increase distribution of millets through public distribution scheme to ensure nutritional security in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  initiatives to  raise  awareness about benefit of millets  among consumers;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the other measures being taken by the Government to  promote consumption of rnillets in the country?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) & (b): Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), foodgrains, free of cost, are being provided to States/UTs for distribution to around 80 crore beneficiaries through Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS). Coarse grains/Millets are also allocated under TPDS in lieu of equal quantity of wheat/rice (as requested by State) while ensuring that the overall quantity of rice, wheat and Coarse grains has to  be within the upper ceiling fixed  in respeet of each State/UT,

Further, as per Guidelines for procurement, allocation, distribution and disposal of coarse grains, States are allowed to procure Jowar, Bajra, Maize, Barley & Ragi and six minor millets  from farmers at MSP for central pool subject to the prior approval of Government of India, in consultation with  FOI. The whole quantity is  distributed under TPDS /OWS (Other welfare Schemes) in the State/UT.

- (c) to (e): The following initiatives were  undertaken  to  raise  awareness about benefit  of millets  among consumers.
- Is United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 as International Year of Millets  (IYM) during March, 2021 on the proposal of India. The Government of  India has taken a  proactive multi-stakeholder engagement approach (engaging various central government Ministries/Departments, States/UTs, farmers, start-ups, exporters, retail  businesses, hotels,  Indian Embassies etc.)  to  achieve the
- objectives of IYM 2023 and taking Indian millets  globally.
- I is Millets were  promoted during the G20 presidency in India through Millet  Culinary carnival, International Trade  Events, Chefs Conference, exhibition of  Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), road shows, kisanmelas, CheFs training  for  paramilitary forces, ASEAN India Millet Festival at Indonesia and Delhi etc.
- III. Global Millets  (Shree Anna) Conference was  held from 18th -  19th March 2023 at IARI, Pusa Campus, New Delhi which was inaugurated
- by the Hon'ble Prime Minister.
- IVa To make India a global hub for 'Shree Anna',,.the Indian Institute of Millets Research (lIMR), Hyderabad has been declared as the Global Centre of  Excellence for  sharing best  practices, research and technologies at the national and internati6nal level. lIMR, Hyderabad is  also providing training to the  farmers, women  farmers,  home makers, students  and  young entrepreneurs on  manufacturing of value.added  millet  food  products,  daily  recipes  etc.,  and  supporting them to establish self-enterprise.
- V. Towards mainstreaming millets, a  'Millets Experience Centre  (MEC)' was  opened  at  Dilli Haat,  INA,  New  Delhi  with an  aim  to raise awareness on  Millets  and  encourage its  adoption  among general public.

- VI. To encourage consumption of Shree Anna among government employees, all  Government offices  have  been  advised to  include Shree  Anna  snacks in  departmental trainings/meetings and  Shree Anna based food items in departmental canteens.

In  order to  increase the  production &  productivity of  millets  (Shree Anna), the  Department of  Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets)  under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in all  districts  of 28 States & 2 Union Territories viz. Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. In addition, Government of India also provides flexibility to the states for state speeific needs/priorities under Rashtirya Krishi VikasYojana (RKW), The states can promote Millets (Shree  Anna)  under RKVY  with approval of State Level Sanctioning Committee (SLSC) headed by Chief Secretary of the State.

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