Lok Sabha Question No. 1562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-29
Subject: Demand and Production of Millets Products
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: Shri Bunty Vivek Sahu

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1562

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  JULY, 2025

## DEMAND AND PRODUCTION OF MILLETS PRODUCTS

## 1562. SHRI BUNTY VEVEK SAHU:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण मंũी be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has any data that shows the demand for millets in the country and abroad and if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to increase consumers awareness and demand for millets and its products in the country and globally; and

- (c) the status of millets production and its products in Madhya Pradesh?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE क ृ िष एवं िकसान कʞाण राǛ मंũी (SHRI RAMNATH THAKUR)

(a): The Working Group constituted by the National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog in its report on Crop Husbandry, Agriculture Inputs, Demand and Supply, 2024 has assessed the demand and supply of Nutri-cereals.

In  a  business-as-usual  (BAU) scenario, that is the continuance of the recent economic growth (6.34%) in the future as well, the demand for Nutri-cereals is projected at 20 million tonnes in 2025-26.

Further, 74.33 thousand tonnes of millets was exported abroad during the year 2024-25.

(b): The Government has taken several steps to increase consumers awareness and demand for millets and its product in the country and globally:

(i) Following a proposal by India, backed by more than 70 countries, the United Nations General Assembly, at its 75th session in March 2021, declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. The year-long celebration successfully raised awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption, the suitability of millets for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions, and the benefits of creating sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers.

(ii)  During its Presidency, India organised the two-day Global Millets Conference in March 2023 in New Delhi bringing together participants from more than 102 countries. The global conference, dedicated to the IYM 2023, facilitated discourse on important issues related to millets  which  included  its  production  and  consumption,  nutritional  benefits,  value  chain development, market linkages, and research and development.

(iii)  One  component  of  the  Production  Linked  Incentive  Scheme  for  Food  Processing Industries  (PLISFPI)  focuses  on  Millet-Based  Products  (MBP),  with  an  outlay  of  Rs.  800 crores.  The  objectives  of  the  PLI  Scheme  for  Millet-Based  Products  (PLISMBP)  are  to increase the use of millets in food products and promote their value addition by incentivizing the manufacturing and sale of selected millet-based products in both domestic and export markets. As on date, out of total allocation of Rs. 800 crores for PLISMBP, an amount of Rs.793.27 crore has been approved to incentivise 29 applicants, which includes 8 large and 21 Small & Medium entities.

(iv)  'Millet  Mahotsav'  were  organised  in  30  districts  of  various  States/UTs  as  a  part  of International  Year  of  Millet  (IYOM  2023)  to  provide  support  for  micro  food  processing entrepreneurs, particularly those engaged in the processing of millet products. It aimed to foster start-ups, entrepreneurs and boost the micro sector of the food industry.

(v) Further, Department of Commerce (DoC) through Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export  Development  Authority  (APEDA)  organised  Trade  Fairs,  exhibitions  and  Millet conclave for awareness, usage and export promotion of millets. Under IYOM 2023, a host of activities  were  conducted  by  DoC  through  APEDA  in  close  association  with  Indian Embassies/Missions and Government departments, which included millet themed participation in international trade fairs, sampling events, millet galleries, international buyer seller meets etc. The campaign in print/electronic media for promotion and branding of Indian Millets- Shree Anna in key international markets during prominent trade fairs was also initiated in collaboration with India Brand Equity Foundation.

(vi) Global Food Event 'World Food India 2023' during 3rd - 5th November, 2023 in New Delhi with Millets as one of its key focus areas was organized. The event was intended to provide Indian producers/ processors/ institutions a platform to collaborate and partner with global stakeholders.

(vii) Ministry of Food  Processing  Industries (MoFPI)  has  been  incentivizing setting up/expansion of Food Processing Industries including processing of millet-based products through  its  Central  Sector  Pradhan  Mantri  Kisan  SAMPADA  Yojana  (PMKSY)  Scheme, Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industry (PLISFPI) and Centrally sponsored PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme across the country.

(c):  The  total  millets  production  in  Madhya  Pradesh  during  the  year  2024-25  (as  per  3 rd Advance Estimate) is estimated at 11.46 lakh tonnes.

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