Assam is promoting millet cultivation and consumption under the Assam Millet Mission, seeking to revive traditional crops while improving farmer incomes, nutrition and agricultural resilience.

Why are millets important for Assam?

Millets were traditionally cultivated by indigenous and small-scale farming communities in areas such as Karbi Anglong, Dima Hasao and parts of Upper Assam.

• Millets require less water than paddy and can grow in relatively poorer soils and upland areas where rice cultivation is difficult.
• They are rich in fibre, protein, iron and calcium and generally have a low glycaemic index, making them useful for improving dietary diversity.
• For a flood- and climate-sensitive State like Assam, millet cultivation can reduce excessive dependence on rice and provide farmers with an additional crop option.

Assam Millet Mission

The Assam Millet Mission is a seven-year programme launched in 2022–23 to promote millet-based agriculture and food systems.

• The Mission was designed by the ARIAS Society and focuses on improving nutrition, crop productivity and farmers’ income.
• It covers the entire value chain, including quality seeds, cultivation, harvesting, processing, value addition and market linkages.
• Farmers have received support such as quality seeds, power tillers, pump sets, harvesters and other equipment.
• Soil-testing and quality-control laboratories and knowledge centres have also been developed.
• The Mission has received support through the World Bank-backed Assam Agribusiness and Rural Transformation Project and central initiatives such as the National Food Security Mission’s Nutri Cereals component.
• Assam is also working with Assam Agricultural University and the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics to strengthen seed systems and develop varieties suited to local conditions.

From farm to plate

The success of millet revival depends not only on production but also on creating stable demand and markets.

• Millet-based foods are being promoted through PM-POSHAN, while the State has also explored their wider use through Anganwadi centres and the Public Distribution System.
• Processing facilities and Farmer Producer Companies can help farmers move from selling raw grains to higher-value products such as flour, biscuits, snacks and ready-to-cook foods.
• Better processing, storage, branding and market access can increase the share of value received by farmers.

Challenges

The long-term success of the initiative will depend on assured markets, remunerative prices, reliable procurement, quality seeds and consumer acceptance. Millet promotion should therefore move beyond the temporary “superfood” trend and become part of a sustainable, diversified and climate-resilient agricultural system.

Exam Hook – Prelims

Consider the following statements about millets:

1. They generally require less water than paddy.
2. They can contribute to dietary diversification.
3. The Assam Millet Mission covers only millet cultivation and excludes processing and marketing.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer: 1 and 2 only.

One-line wrap: Assam’s millet revival connects traditional knowledge, nutrition security, farmer income and climate-resilient agriculture.