A rally was taken out in Mysuru on Thursday to promote the health benefits of millets.
| Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram
A rally was taken out in the city to promote awareness on the health benefits of millets, here on Thursday.
Organised by the Mysuru Zilla Panchayat and the Department of Agriculture, it was flagged off by Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy and more than 400 people took part in it.
K.H. Ravi, joint director of agriculture said that the rally was also being held in the run up to the International Millet Festival to be held in Bengaluru from January 23 to 25. It is being organised in all districts to help create awareness on the health benefits of millets.
Mr. Ravi said different types of millets like navane or foxtail millet, sajje or pearl millet, Korale or brown top millet, Baragu or proso millet, etc., had health benefits and their promotion weas important, as diabetes is increasing in India. Change in life style and consumption pattern has led to imbalance in food leading to health issues, he added.
In earlier times millets were commonly cultivated but they became rare due to a decline in demand; though now they are back in trend, said Mr. Ravi. From the farmers point of view millet is a short-duration crop that can supplement their income. As these crops require very little water, they are also reckoned to be an insurance against vagaries of nature such as drought and will help farmers in times of distress, he added.
After the rally, there was also a mela at the exhibition ground where there were multiple stalls showcasing and selling millets. It was inaugurated by Pushpa Amarnath, Deputy Chairperson, State Government Guarantees’ Implementation Committee.
Published – January 09, 2025 07:27 pm IST