Why is 2023 the International Year of Millets?

Subject : International Relations

Section : International Organisation

Context: The UN is celebrating 2023 as the International Year of Millets.

What are millets?

Millets, hardy dryland crops grown in Asian and African countries, are gaining popularity for their nutritional qualities

Why celebrate?

Commemorations such as these draw attention to lesser-known topics, in this case crops. They also foster a global exchange of ideas, research and development as well as bolster trade.
After 2013, the International Year of Quinoa, the superfood rose in popularity and is grown across the world. Researchers say sudden rise in popularity benefited farmers, but also resulted in a boom-and-bust cycle. There are concerns the same could happen to millets.

How International Year decided?

Generally, a member nation makes a proposal to the UN through a relevant agency, such as the FAO in case of millets.
India’s proposal to FAO went through internal approvals before being presented at the UN General Assembly and was approved with the support of 71 countries. India is the Chair, and Nigeria and ICRISAT are the Vice-Chair of the FAO International Committee for the International Year of Millets.
While this is a UN-wide event, because millets fall under food and agriculture, the FAO is the corresponding implementing agency coordinating with relevant technical experts, several UN member countries and representatives from all regions, and stakeholders such as academia, private sector, and civil society.
The IYM2023 consolidates and pushes for global cooperation to promote millet in various ways.
One of the most famous food fads of recent times is quinoa, which rose to global fame as a superfood thanks in part to the International Year of Quinoa 2013 (IYQ2013). Quinoa too was a neglected and underutilised crop and was grown in 50 countries before 2013. After IYQ2013, this number grew to over 123 countries. This staple from the Andean region, is now grown in diverse climatic zones. Like millets, quinoa too is climate resilient, can improve nutritional security and an alternative to wheat and rice. However, experts have identified a boom-and-bust cycle when crops like quinoa rise into prominence suddenly.

Millets in India:

Even as area under millet cultivation dropped by 56% drop in India, production increased from 11.3 to 15.3 million tonnes, Hughes points out. This was due to the development and adoption of improved varieties and hybrids, and better crop management practices. Overall, millet productivity has increased by more than two times, and pearl millet productivity has tripled.