Millets will soon be introduced in Indira Canteens and mid-day meals: Karnataka Chief Minister

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that millets would be introduced in Indira Canteens, mid-day meals in schools, anganwadis, and public distribution system.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that millets would be introduced in Indira Canteens, mid-day meals in schools, anganwadis, and public distribution system.

Inaugurating the three-day International Trade Fair on Millets and Organics organised by the Department of Agriculture in association with various organisations in Bengaluru, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he would soon convene a meeting of officials from the departments of Food, Agriculture, Education, RDPR, and Municipalities to discuss the modalities for introduction of millets.

This was necessary considering the health benefits and nutritional value of millets, he observed.

Mr. Siddaramaiah also directed the officials to take the initiative of exporting sowing seeds of millets from Karnataka to different countries. He asked the authorities concerned to encourage farmers to produce quality sowing seeds of varieties of millets that are required by different countries. He said a separate cell would be set up to promote this.

Presently, Karnataka produces about 20 lakh tonnes of millets a year, he said, while stressing the need to increase it. He observed that of late millets and organic foods were becoming popular due to their health benefits and Karnataka had brought out an organic farming policy.

Union Minister of State for Agriculture Shobha Karandlaje expressed concern that the export of millets was getting affected as the industries department, which handled exports, had to focus on various other products. She suggested that a separate cell be set up to handle millet exports. She told the Karnataka government that the Centre would provide approvals to its projects if it sends proposals regarding food processing and agricultural infrastructure.

Agriculture Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy said Karnataka was reeling under serious drought and millets were ideal for cultivation in areas where there was lesser availability of water.