It is known worldwide that climate change is an existential threat that needs our urgent attention. It is undeniable that the need for resources is neverending and more so with each coming year. This demands a versatile answer that will hold its own with the scarcity of resources like water and soil. Among various researched global warming solutions for modern food security, millet-the humble grain, has emerged to be the most promising.
The tide has now turned in favour of the grain. If millets were our first food, they are now also seen by the scientific community as foods of the future. In an effort to ensure a sustainable future, creating awareness of the millet proves detrimental.
What makes Millets an Ideal Solution?
Millets pose to solve an integral environmental balance stressor, namely the growing need for food to cater to the rapidly multiplying population. Through these and the uncertain climate conditions, millets hold their own and accommodate the concerns with their resilience to heat and dry-arid weather conditions. Experts unanimously believe that millet may be elemental in protecting us against crop failure, scarcity and famine. It may be the most resilient of crops at a time when the harsh effects of global warming are a looming spectre.
Millets can prove versatile in their consumption practices when creatively added to the diet. Termed as Nutri-cereals, the grains are gluten-free, rich sources of protein, antioxidants and several micronutrients. With an expansive nutritional profile, millet truly rises as a suitable climate change solution. Therefore, educating and raising awareness on versatile millets is critical in transforming our futures.
Reviving Millets for a Sustainable Future
Fortunately, both the government and corporations are making active efforts on considerable levels to restore millets to their rightful place in our diet. To drive their demand throughout India and globally, the government has launched campaigns and programmes to educate the masses and promote the millet. These efforts also include educating the farmers about better varieties of the crop and cultivating techniques.
Being an active member in the process, the corporate sector, including the food manufacturers and the hospitality industry-have taken up the task of highlighting millets through their product offerings and menus. One such example is ITC. Through its product portfolio and sustainability initiatives, the organisation has made a noteworthy contribution in this sphere.
ITC’s Commitment to Millets and Sustainability
With its mission statement etched with commitment to health and sustainability, ITC holds true to it, taking a prominent role in promoting millets. It has been ITC’s constant endeavour to support the National Nutritional priorities emanating out of India’s commitments towards the UNSDG 2030 and Mission Poshan 2.0.
The organisation’s measures are overall aligned with the Seven Sutras outlined by the Government of India. In the run-up to the , a charter has been rolled out by the concerned ministries and departments, focusing on the same:
- Enhancement of production and productivity
- Nutrition and health benefits
- Value addition, processing and recipe development
- Entrepreneurship, start-ups & collective development
- Awareness creation including branding, labelling and promotion
- International outreach
- Policy interventions for mainstreaming millets.
Commitment to Millet Integration
The company views the powerhouse of grain as a transformative and functional step in global warming solutions. They have taken on the task of building a culture of millet consumption through its product portfolio. As part of its core commercial strategy, ITC’s Foods Business Division ensures the creation of a benchmark that has food offerings which are healthy and sustainable. To ‘Help India Eat Better’, the consumer giant now produces staples, noodles, vermicelli, flours, biscuits, confectionery and snacks using diverse millets.
Creating Awareness and Supporting Farmers
As a responsible organisation, ITC is committed to creating awareness around the crop. This includes their Food and Agri businesses striving to raise an understanding of millets among farmers, growers and end consumers.
The company has made it an aim to actively collaborate with farmers to create new robust cultivars of millets while familiarising them with their nutritional benefits. Moreover, the farmers working with ITC’s Agri division now rightfully recognise millets as a climate-resilient crop and witness their potential for yielding higher incomes.
As part of supporting climate change solutions, ITC’s objective has been to shine a light on every aspect of these superfoods. These include their different varieties, dietary merits and their role as a sustainable, smart crop. To do so, ITC also works closely with media platforms to spread awareness of the role of millet as a conscious food choice and the benefits farmers can derive from cultivating and selling millet.
Incorporating Millet-based Cuisine in ITC Hotels
ITC Hotels are committed to the idealogy as well. They do so by incorporating millet-based dishes as an integral part of their culinary repertoire. This initiative actively promotes the powerhouse of a crop and showcases its versatility. It also proves to be a dynamic effort to encourage customers to adopt millet in their meals.
With its expanse of nutritional benefits, millet holds the key to diversifying and healthifying the masses’ diet. In this ongoing mission, active efforts from the Government, corporations and the end consumers incorporating it into their meal plans prove to be elemental. By raising awareness about the importance of the different types of millet and their long-term benefits, millet has the potential to be a game-changer in the fight against global warming. Together, we take a significant leap towards combating the adverse effects of climate change.
