In Ghazipur, Uttar Pradesh, the state’s inaugural millet processing facility has commenced operations at the Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK). Costing approximately Rs 95 lakh, this unit processes various coarse grains like bajra, kodo, kutki, ragi, and sawa, providing direct access to local consumers and markets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi designated 2023 as the “Year of Millets” to encourage the consumption of nutritious coarse grains in daily diets.
The Millet Processing Unit at KVK Ghazipur, led by Shiv Kumar Singh, praised the initiative, highlighting the government’s plan to establish similar units nationwide. Uttar Pradesh has taken the lead by launching the first operational unit in Ghazipur, offering products such as ragi flour, bajra flour, kodo rice, kutki rice, and sawa rice to district residents. Singh emphasized the health benefits of incorporating millets into daily meals, noting that even a small percentage mixed with wheat roti can enhance nutrition significantly.
Singh underscored the environmental and health advantages of millet cultivation compared to conventional crops like wheat and paddy, which rely heavily on fertilizers and pesticides. Millets are grown naturally without chemical inputs, promoting toxin-free farming and healthier diets. All millets used in the processing unit are grown at KVK’s farm, with local farmers encouraged to cultivate these crops using seeds from the center. The processed millet products, sold for the past few months, have seen significant demand, urging farmers to shift from paddy and wheat to millet crops for a sustainable and healthier agricultural practice.
