Millets are small grains that are very healthy. They have many nutrients and can help people stay strong and fit. In India, people used to eat millets a long time ago. But now, many people do not eat them often. A new survey was done to understand why people are not eating millets. This survey was done by the World Food Programme and the Indian Institute of Millet Research. They asked people in five Indian states. These states were Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The survey found that even though people are interested in millets, they do not eat them regularly.
One big reason why people do not eat millets is taste. Many people said that they do not like how millets taste. Around 91 out of every 100 people said taste is very important when they choose what food to eat. Millets have a different taste than rice or wheat. Some people are not used to this taste. Because of this, they do not cook millets at home. Even if they know millets are good for health, they choose to eat other foods. Taste is a big reason why people are not eating millets often in their daily meals.
Another reason is that people do not eat millets regularly. Most people said they only eat millets sometimes. About 90 out of every 100 people said they eat millets only once in a while. This means millets are not a regular part of their meals. Some people eat millets during festivals or special occasions. Others eat them only during winter. Because of this, millets are not being used as much as other grains. If people start eating millets more often, they can get better health. But right now, many people do not make millets a part of their regular diet.
A big problem is that many people do not know how healthy millets are. About 75 out of 100 people said they do not know about the health benefits of millets. They do not know that millets are good for the heart, bones, and stomach. Millets also help people with diabetes and can give a lot of energy. But if people do not know these things, they will not want to eat millets. This lack of knowledge is a big reason why millets are not popular. If more people learn about the health benefits, they may start eating millets more often.
Many people also believe wrong things about millets. These are called myths. One common myth is that millets can only be eaten in the winter. Some people think millets are hot and not good to eat in the summer. Others believe millets take a lot of time to cook. These ideas stop people from using millets. But these beliefs are not true. Millets can be eaten in any season. There are also many easy ways to cook them. If people learn the truth, they might be more willing to try millets in their meals. Myths can make people avoid healthy food.
The survey also found that many people do not know about the government’s efforts to promote millets. The government is trying to tell people about the benefits of millets. They are running many campaigns and programs. But only 34 out of every 100 people said they know about these campaigns. This means most people do not know what the government is doing. If more people learn about these programs, they might start eating millets. The government can help by spreading more information through schools, markets, and television. People need to hear about these programs often to understand their importance.
In rural areas, people use millets in traditional ways. They make rotis, porridges, and simple dishes with them. These methods have been used for many years. But in cities, people are not used to eating millets. They eat more rice and wheat. Also, they do not know how to cook millets. This difference between rural and urban areas affects millet use. In cities, people want fast and easy food. If millet-based foods are made easy to cook, more people might use them. Helping people in cities learn new millet recipes could help increase the use of these grains in everyday meals.
Another important point is that millets are good for farmers and the environment. Millets need less water to grow than rice or wheat. They can grow in dry areas and poor soil. This helps farmers who live in difficult areas. Millets also grow quickly and do not need many chemicals. This keeps the soil healthy and safe. If more people eat millets, more farmers will grow them. This will help the environment and make farmers earn more money. Millets can be a good crop for both people and nature. But people need to know this to support millet farming.
The survey also found that women play a big role in cooking and choosing food. In many homes, women decide what food is cooked. If women learn more about the health benefits of millets, they can choose to cook them more often. Some programs are now helping women learn new millet recipes. They are also teaching women how to tell others about millets. This can help more families start eating millets. When women are given training and support, they can help change food habits in their homes and in their communities. Women are key to increasing millet use across the country.
Children are also important when talking about millets. Many children do not like the taste of millets. They are used to eating rice and wheat. But millets can be made into tasty dishes like cookies, dosas, and upma. Some schools are now adding millets to their mid-day meal programs. This helps children get used to the taste. It also helps them grow strong and healthy. If children learn about millets when they are young, they will keep eating them when they grow up. Making millets tasty for kids is a good way to make them popular in the future.
One way to make millets more popular is by creating new and tasty recipes. Chefs and food experts can try to make millet dishes that people enjoy. Some restaurants are now adding millet dishes to their menu. This helps people try them in a fun way. Cooking shows and recipe books can also help. If people see how easy and tasty millet dishes can be, they may start cooking them at home. Many people want to eat healthy food, but they also want it to taste good. Tasty millet recipes can help people change their food habits.
Packaging and selling millets in smart ways is also important. In cities, people buy food that is clean, packed well, and easy to cook. If millets are sold in neat packages with cooking instructions, more people may buy them. Some companies are already doing this. They are selling millet flour, millet noodles, and ready-to-cook millet mixes. These are easy to use and save time. People like food that is simple and fast to make. Good packaging and clear labels can help millets become a regular item in homes. Making millets easy to use can help them grow in popularity.
Many health experts say that millets can help people with diseases like diabetes, obesity, and heart problems. These grains have a lot of fiber and nutrients. They help people feel full and stop them from eating too much. They also help control blood sugar levels. But not many people know this. Doctors and health workers can help by telling their patients about millets. Hospitals and clinics can give out pamphlets and posters. If health messages are shared more often, people will begin to understand. They may choose millets as a healthy part of their diet every day.
Schools can also play a big role in promoting millets. Teachers can talk to students about the benefits of millets. Schools can hold millet food festivals, cooking contests, and health talks. These activities can make children excited to learn about millets. Parents also attend school events, so they can learn too. If schools work together with local governments, they can start millet awareness programs. When children and parents learn together, they help each other make better food choices. Schools are a strong place to teach healthy habits. Adding millets to the school environment can make a big difference.
Media can also help people know more about millets. Television, radio, and social media are powerful tools. They reach many people every day. If these media show millet recipes, health talks, and farmer stories, people will pay attention. Famous people can talk about why they eat millets. This can inspire others to try them too. Videos, songs, and stories about millets can be fun and educational. Media can turn millets into a cool and healthy choice. With the right messages, people will see millets in a new way. This can help break the old myths and bring change.
Markets can also support millet use. If shops and markets sell different types of millets, people will have more choices. Sometimes, people do not buy millets because they are not easily available. If millets are sold in big shops and local stores, people will find it easy to buy them. Farmers can also sell millets directly to people in farmers’ markets. This helps both the buyers and the farmers. Easy access to millets is very important. If people see them often, they will think about trying them. Making millets available in every shop is a good step forward.
Cooking classes can help people learn how to make millet dishes. Many people do not know how to cook millets. They think it is hard or takes too much time. Cooking classes can show simple and tasty ways to make millet food. These classes can be held in schools, community centers, or online. People can watch and learn how to cook millet khichdi, upma, dosa, or even sweets. When people know how to cook, they feel confident to try. These classes can make millets part of daily food habits. Learning to cook is an easy way to change how we eat.
If the government works more with local people, the results can be better. Local leaders, village groups, and women’s groups can spread the message about millets. These people know their area well and can talk in the local language. When messages come from trusted people, others listen. Training programs and support groups can give these leaders the tools they need. This helps make millet promotion strong and effective. When everyone works together, the message reaches more people. Local action can lead to big change. Millets can become part of every home if local groups help spread the word.
Millets are not just healthy—they are also part of India’s food tradition. Long ago, people in different parts of India ate many types of millets. Each area had its own recipes and ways of cooking. By bringing millets back, we are also keeping our food history alive. This is good for health and culture. Elders in the family can share old recipes and stories. Young people can learn and enjoy traditional foods in a new way. Millets can help us stay connected to our roots. Eating millets is a way to honor our past while building a healthy future.