Collector calls for promotion of millet to promote health, income of farmers

Collector Rajakumari Ganiya participates in district level millet mela in Nandyal on Thursday. | Photo credit: BY ARRANGEMENT

District Collector Rajakumari Ganiya noted that millet has a special place in a healthy diet and its promotion should remain essential for both public health and farmers’ income.

Speaking as the chief guest at the district-level Millets Mela organized by the National Mission for Food Security and Nutrition here on Thursday, the collector said that millets are nutrient-rich traditional crops and their consumption should be encouraged at a time when people are becoming more health and nutrition conscious.

Ms. Rajakumari said that at present paddy is cultivated in about 70,000 hectares and another 70,000 hectares under jowar, maize and other crops during kharif in Nandyal district. The Collector stressed the importance of crop diversification and called for gradual reduction of paddy areas and promotion of millets, pulses and oilseeds. “For the first time, oil palm is being promoted in the district along with groundnut and sesame under the mission of the Center for Oilseeds,” she said.

The Collector said special initiatives through Anganwadi centers in the last two years have helped reduce malnutrition and anemia among children and pregnant women, proving that millet-based foods have played a key role in creating a healthy society.

Referring to the marketing facilities for millets, the collector said that value addition through quality workmanship, attractive packaging and branding could increase the market value. The district administration would extend support for permits and linkages for millet in the state and international markets. “A subsidy of 35% is available for food processing units while 48 units have been grounded in the last three months,” Ms. Rajakumari said.

Published – 24 Sep 2026 19:08 IST