Regarding need to take comprehensive measures for promotion of millets produced in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh-Laid

Regarding need to take comprehensive measures for promotion of millets produced in Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh-Laid SHRI ANURAG SHARMA (JHANSI) : I rise to draw the urgent attention of the Government to the immense yet underutilised potential of millet production in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, particularly in the districts of Jhansi and Lalitpur. Millets such as jowar, bajra, ragi, kodo, kutki and sanwa are traditionally cultivated in this semi-arid, rain-fed region and have sustained generations of small and marginal farmers due to low water requirement, climate resilience and cost-effective cultivation. Millets are globally recognised as ?Shri Anna? for their exceptional nutritional value. They play a crucial role in addressing diabetes, heart disease, obesity and malnutrition, and are rich in fibre, iron, calcium and protein, making them important especially for children, pregnant women and the elderly. Despite the Government of India?s emphasis during the International Year of Millets, producers in Jhansi and Lalitpur remain confined to local markets due to inadequate processing facilities, limited branding support and absence of export-oriented infrastructure. This gap deprives farmers of remunerative prices and value addition. I urge the Government to simplify FSSAI licensing and export certification for millet producers, FPOs and Self-Help Groups; develop cluster-based infrastructure for processing, packaging, storage and exports; and initiate a scheme for GI tagging and promotion of Bundelkhand millets.