Page 108 - Millets Natures NutriGrain
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networks, to ensure the efficient distribution of millets to both
rural and urban markets. Strengthen the connection between
millet farmers and consumers.
5. Inclusion in Government Programs:
• Nutrition Programs: Include millets in government
nutrition programs, school mid-day meals, and Anganwadi
supplementary nutrition schemes, similar to Chandigarh’s
initiative. Ensure that millet is an integral part of the diet for
children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Minimum Support Prices (MSPs): Set Minimum Support
Prices (MSPs) for millets to provide farmers with a fair and
stable income. This will incentivize millet cultivation and
protect farmers from market price fluctuations.
6. Research and Development:
• Post-Harvest Technologies: Invest in research to improve
post-harvest technologies for millets. Develop efficient
dehulling machines and processing units to reduce drudgery
for millet farmers and ensure quality standards are met.
• Value-Added Products: Promote research and development in
the creation of millet-based value-added products. Encourage
collaboration with organizations like ICAR-IIMR’s Nutrihub
to foster innovation in millet processing and product
development.
7. Consumer Awareness and Promotion:
• Nutritional Education: Launch nationwide campaigns to
educate consumers about the nutritional benefits of millet.
These campaigns should highlight the role of millet in
addressing malnutrition and improving health.
• Recipe Development: Collaborate with organizations like
Odisha Millets Mission to develop innovative recipes that
make millets appealing to urban consumers. These recipes
can be widely distributed to raise awareness and encourage
millet consumption.
8. Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Data-driven decision-making: Establish a monitoring and
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