With the objective of encouraging millet consumption and boosting farmers’ income, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to incorporate millets in the form of ‘bajra khichdi’ in the mid-day meals provided to children.
“This is a very significant decision for the millet-growing farmers, considering the number of children in Uttar Pradesh who receive mid-day meals. The government is already procuring maize and bajra at the minimum support price (MSP) and has decided to purchase jowar along with paddy at MSP starting this Kharif season,” an official of the Agriculture department said.
The decisions made by the state government will have a significant impact. After the inclusion of bajra in the mid-day meal, its consumption and demand will also increase. The government will have to increase the purchase of bajra directly from the farmers to meet the spurt in demand.
Due to this, the farmers will get better prices for bajra in the open market as well, and better prices will also encourage farmers to produce more. Overall, it will be beneficial for the health of the common man and will also bring prosperity to the farmers, the official said.
In the future, the same situation may also happen to jowar. Millets are also good for the environment. They require less water than other cereals and can thrive without fertilisers or pesticides in poor soils. As a result, they are a good crop for farmers in dry regions dealing with the effects of climate change.