Executive Summary:
This document presents the Indian government's response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1562 regarding the demand and production of millets. It details the government's data on millet demand, steps taken to increase awareness and demand both domestically and globally, and the status of millet production in Madhya Pradesh as of 2024-2025. The document highlights initiatives and schemes implemented up to November 2023 to promote millet production, processing, and consumption.
Key Points / Main Content:
Demand and Supply of Millets:
* A NITI Aayog report projects a demand of 20 million tonnes of Nutricereals in 2025-26, assuming continued economic growth.
* India exported 74.33 thousand tonnes of millets in 2024-25.
Government Initiatives to Increase Awareness and Demand:
* The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM) following a proposal by India, raising awareness of nutritional benefits, climate suitability, and market opportunities.
* India hosted the Global Millets Conference in March 2023, addressing production, consumption, nutritional benefits, value chain development, market linkages, and R&D.
* The Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries (PLISFPI) includes a component for Millet-Based Products (MBP) with an outlay of Rs. 800 crores to incentivize manufacturing and sale in domestic and export markets. Rs. 793.27 crore has been approved to incentivise 29 applicants.
* Millet Mahotsavs were organized in 30 districts as part of IYOM 2023 to support micro food processing entrepreneurs.
* The Department of Commerce (DoC) through APEDA organized trade fairs, exhibitions, and millet conclaves to promote millet usage and exports, including participation in international trade fairs and buyer-seller meets.
* The Global Food Event World Food India 2023 featured millets as a key focus area, providing a platform for collaboration between Indian producers, processors, and global stakeholders.
* The Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) incentivizes millet-based product processing through schemes like PMKSY, PLISFPI, and PMFME.
Status of Millets Production in Madhya Pradesh:
* The estimated total millets production in Madhya Pradesh for 2024-25 is 11.46 lakh tonnes, as per the 3rd Advance Estimate.
Impact Analysis:
Stakeholders: Millet Producers
Impact: Increased demand and market opportunities due to government initiatives.
Action Required: Participate in government schemes and initiatives to enhance production and access market linkages.
Stakeholders: Food Processing Industries
Impact: Incentives and support for processing millet-based products.
Action Required: Apply for and utilize the PLISFPI scheme to expand millet-based product lines and increase production capacity.
Stakeholders: Consumers
Impact: Increased awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of millets.
Action Required: Incorporate millets into their diets and support millet-based products.
Stakeholders: Export Market
Impact: Promotion of Indian millets in international markets.
Action Required: Be aware of opportunities to source millets from India.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Agriculture Farmers Welfare: The Indian government ministry responsible for agriculture and farmers' welfare.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, mentioned in the context of millets production.
NITI Aayog: National Institution for Transforming India, a policy think tank of the Indian government.
International Year of Millets: The United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, following a proposal by India.
Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Food Processing Industries: A government scheme (PLISFPI) with a component focusing on Millet-Based Products (MBP).
New Delhi: The capital of India, where the Global Millets Conference and World Food India 2023 were organized.
APEDA: Agricultural Processed Food Products Export Development Authority, an organization involved in export promotion of millets.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan SAMPADA Yojana: A Central Sector Scheme (PMKSY) incentivizing setting up/expansion of Food Processing Industries.
O.I.H.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & FARMERS WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1562
TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29TH JULY, 2025
DEMAND AND PRODUCTION OF MILLETS PRODUCTS
1562. SHRI BUNTY VEVEK SAHU:
Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण मं(cid:361)ी 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
कृ िष एवं िकसान क(cid:670)ाण रा(cid:475) मं(cid:361)ी (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 3rd
Advance Estimate) is estimated at 11.46 lakh tonnes.
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