(a) whether the Government is making efforts or considering to improve cultivation acreage and Minimum Support Price (MSP) for millets as they are a very important source of nutrition for poor farmers and are also very resource efficient;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) if not, reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
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(a) to (c): Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets) under National Food Security Mission (NFSM) since 2018-19 to increase area, production & productivity of millets in 212 districts of 14 States. Further, to encourage the farmers to grow nutri-cereals (millets), Government declares Minimum Support Price (MSP) of three major millets i.e, jowar, bajra & ragi along with a minimum return of at least 50 per cent over all India weighted average cost of production before main season of Kharif every year. For Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2022-23, MSP for jowar (hybrid), jowar (maldandi), bajra & ragi is 2970 ? per quintal, 2990 ? per quintals, 2350 ? per quintal & 3578 ? per quintal, respectively.
Additionally, in view of health benefits of millets, the Government of India notified millets as nutri-cereals in April, 2018. Nutri-cereals contribute substantially for food & nutritional security as they are highly nutritious. Millets are not only comparable to major cereals with respect to their nutritional features but are very good sources of carbohydrates, micronutrients & phytochemicals with nutraceutical properties.
The production of nutri-cereals has increased from 137.11 lakh tonnes in 2018-19 to 159.29 lakh tonnes in 2021-22 as per third advance estimates.
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