AP Govt to promote Millet-based products
Hyderabad, Jan 18 (INN): To promote the Millet based products in Andhra Pradesh, Chief Secretary I.Y.R. Krishna Rao convened a meeting to discuss on cultivation as well as on Millet products.
The Chief Secretary said that the Government of Andhra Pradesh is gearing up now encouraging traditional agro products along with tiny grains. Millets viz., Ragi, Sajjalu, Jonna etc., have so many features like Calcium, High Fibre, High mineral content, digestibility and are extremely healthy and rich in Protein.
Under the Chairmanship of the Chief Secretary, the State Government formed a State Level Committee to create awareness in the people regarding nutritional values of millets, health benefits and to promote the usage of Millets as alternate staple food.
An action plan may be prepared to do an extensive extension work to make people realize the importance of food values of millets and different items that are made-out from Millets, the Chief Secretary informed.
Krishna Rao suggested that as a progressive step Millet Parks may be established by conducting Millet Food Festival as a Mela in different intervals across the State. Rural women may also be trained in Millet cultivation through Agriculture University. Departments concerned may focus on creating demand on Millet products. We may also request the Government of India for supplying of Millets through Public Distribution Systems (PDS) by consumer choice. By promoting mode Millets and Millet recipes may be publicized showing the food values of Millets.
The Chief Secretary opined that there is a need in the urban areas in the State to encourage the Millet products duly focussing on healthy lifestyle of the generation, in this fast paced environment. In a systematic way the Government may also start supplying Sangati in Mid-Day Meal.
Spl. Chief Secretary Agriculture Dr. Vijaya Kumar, Spl. Chief Secretary Revenue Ajeya Kallam, Prl. Secretary Women and Child Welfare Poonam Malakondaiah, Secretary School Education Sisodia and others attended the meeting.
News Posted: 18 January, 2016
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