Millet to be included in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme

In July 2021, the Indian government announced that millets would be included in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme

 Mid-Day Meal Scheme

 😀The Mid-Day Meal Scheme is a government-sponsored program in India that provides free meals to schoolchildren in primary and upper primary classes. The scheme was launched in 1995, and it aims to improve the nutritional status of children and encourage them to attend school regularly.

  😀In July 2021, the Indian government announced that millets would be included in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The move is aimed at promoting the consumption of millets, which are highly nutritious and have a low glycemic index. Millets are rich in protein, dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and they are considered to be a healthy alternative to rice and wheat. 

 😀Under the new guidelines, schools can use millets such as ragi (finger millet), jowar (sorghum), and bajra (pearl millet) to prepare mid-day meals. The government has also issued a set of recipes that use millets in various dishes such as idli, upma, and dosa. 

 Mid-Day Meal Scheme

 😀The inclusion of millets in the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is expected to benefit both children and farmers. Children will have access to nutritious food, which will improve their health and academic performance. Farmers, on the other hand, will have a new market for their millet crops, which could lead to higher incomes and improved livelihoods.

 😀The move is also in line with the Indian government's goal of promoting sustainable agriculture and reducing the country's dependence on rice and wheat. Millets are more climate-resilient than other crops and require less water and inputs, making them more suitable for small and marginal farmers and dryland areas.