Benchmark Price’ for Minor millets

Context: Considering the increase in the cultivation of millets, the Centre may soon announce a benchmark price for minor millets produced in various States. The Centre said it would help States to procure and distribute millets through the public distribution system.

• At present, millets such as jowar, bajra and ragi are procured by nine States with the minimum support price announced by the Centre.
• Minor millets are not procured at the moment.

About Minor Millets:

• The minor millets comprise of proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet or (Setariaitalica), little millet (Panicum sumatrense), barnyard millet (Echinochloa colona) and Kodo millet (Paspalum scrobiculatum).
• Minor millets are high energy, nutritious foods comparable to other cereals and some of them are even better with regard to protein and mineral content.
• They are particularly low in phytic acid and rich in dietary fibre, iron, calcium and B vitamins.
• With proper preparation, 30 per cent of minor millets can be gainfully substituted in value added foods belonging to the categories of traditional foods, bakery products, extruded foods and allied mixes for the convenient preparation by rural and town folk at low cost.
• Poroso millet flour is used as a substitute for rice flour in various snack foods.
• Traditionally, finger, Kodo and Poroso millets are brewed by tribal in certain parts of India.
• Popping of finger millet is done on cottage industry level and the popped meal is marketed in polyethylene pouches.

Source: The Hindu

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Among the following, which one is the least water-efficient crop? (2021)

1. Sugarcane
2. Sunflower
3. Pearl millet
4. Red gram