In his presentation of the agriculture budget for 2023-24 to the Assembly, he stated that millet festivals would be held to raise consumer awareness and expand millet planting.
The mission, according to the Minister, will be implemented in the coming year with financial assistance from the union and state governments at a cost of Rs. 82 crore. "The nutrient-rich millets thrive in poor soil and grow well in drought situations," he explained.
Panneerselvam stated that a subsidy would be provided under the mission for bringing millet production to fallow areas and crop diversification to millets on 50,000 hectares.
He stated that by bringing millet growers together, a hundred groups of millet producers would be formed, and training programmes would be undertaken for them.
"A subsidy would be offered for the installation of a sprinkler irrigation system for 12,500 acres. The subsidy would be offered to farmer producer groups to set up millets processing centres to market value-added millets, according to the Minister.
Millets, finger millet, and pearl millet would be directly bought and made available at low-cost shops to promote production and consumption. "Millet-based food would be available in government institutions and educational institution hostels," he added.
Millet has both soluble and insoluble fibre. Millet's insoluble fibre is a "prebiotic," which means it helps healthy microorganisms in your digestive system.
