Jammu, September 21 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday called for promoting millet cultivation and consumption, saying food systems of the future must be nutritious, economically viable for farmers and sustainable for the planet.

Sinha made the remarks while inaugurating the National Dialogue on “Millets for Health: Building Healthy Ecosystems, Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Sustainable Food Systems” at SKUAST-Jammu.

Addressing the gathering, the Lieutenant Governor said millets had been part of India's agricultural heritage for centuries and stressed the need to restore them to public consciousness.

“Countries across the world that are facing the challenge of climate change are also realising that the food of the future will not merely be food that can be produced in large quantities. It will have to be nutritious, profitable for farmers and sustainable for the planet,” he said.

Sinha said millets had traditionally supported small and marginal farmers, particularly in areas where irrigation, fertilisers and weather forecasting facilities were limited.

He said the ability of millet crops to withstand difficult weather conditions made them relevant to present-day agriculture, especially amid growing concerns over climate change.

Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor said more than 80 per cent of farmers in the region were small and marginal farmers and argued that millet cultivation could help reduce farming risks by requiring comparatively less water and fewer agricultural inputs.

“I see the Millets Mission as the greatest hope for the smallest farmer in our villages. Under the Holistic Agriculture Development Plan, we prepared a strategy three to four years ago to ensure the health of future generations, the prosperity of our farmers and the protection of our earth,” Sinha said.

“I believe that millet cultivation can give marginal farmers in Jammu Kashmir a new sense of confidence while also helping reduce the risks associated with farming,” he added.

The Lieutenant Governor also highlighted the nutritional value of millets, including their dietary fibre, low glycaemic index and nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

He urged households to include millet-based foods such as bajra rotis, ragi preparations and barnyard millet rice in their diets, saying traditional food systems could contribute to addressing lifestyle-related health concerns.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“Millets offer us a simple lesson from nature: the solutions to many health challenges due to modern lifestyle of today lie within our own traditions,” Sinha said.

He also emphasised the economic potential of millet-based products and called for greater participation of women’s self-help groups and young entrepreneurs in processing, packaging, branding and marketing.

Sinha said India produced around 18 million tonnes of millets in 2024-25 and accounted for about 38 per cent of global production, underlining the potential for developing value-added millet products.

“I see Millet’s cultivation as powerful means of empowering women, promoting dignity and respect for women, and reviving the rural economy. The value-added products can shape the region’s next economic success story,” he said.

The Lieutenant Governor called upon farmers, researchers, doctors, entrepreneurs and citizens to work towards making food systems more diverse, nutritious, sustainable and resilient.

“I call upon every household to give millet products a place on their plate and strengthen farmers, empower women, and ensure a healthier future for generations,” he said.

Sinha also credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's initiatives for promoting millets nationally and noted that the United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

During the event, the Lieutenant Governor released several publications, including “A Laboratory Manual on Soil Microbiology”, “Fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems and Remote Sensing” and “Package of Practices for Minor Millets”.

Padma Shri Dr Khadar Vali, Vice Chancellor SKUAST-Jammu Prof BN Tripathi, Executive Director of Kheti Virasat Mission Umendra Dutt, Dr Anjani Kumar of IFPRI, Director Research SKUAST-Jammu Prof SK Gupta, besides experts, policymakers, researchers, senior officials, progressive farmers, agri-preneurs, members of self-help groups, faculty and students attended the inaugural ceremony.(KNS)