Millets, a group of small-seeded grasses that are highly nutritious with a low glycemic index, have been of national importance in India. History of millets in India begins before the Indian Bronze Age (4,500 BC), as evidenced by the identification of foxtail millet <italic>(Priyangava)</italic>, Barnyard millet (<italic>Aanava)</italic>, and black finger millet <italic>(Shyaamaka)</italic> in some of the oldest <italic>Yajurveda</italic> texts. Millets were eventually abandoned from Indian agriculture as ‘orphan crops’ because they were considered inferior to rice or wheat and unfit for a more affluent palate. India still stands in the topmost position in millet production globally, but its output has declined from 40% of the grain production share to just 10%. In recent years, efforts to boost farmer incomes, combat climate change, and enhance food security through a sustainable production system have placed a fresh emphasis on millet promotion in India. Major campaigns to promote millet began in 2018 with the ‘rebranding’ of millet from their classification as ‘coarse cereals’ to ‘Nutri-Cereals’ in light of its “high nutritive value” and “anti-diabetic properties.” Subsequently, the government has merged INSIMP (Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion, 2011-14) under RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) with the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and observed 2018 as the National Year of Millets to promote the millet production and consumption. In 2021, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)- the revamped mid-day meal programme included millets in the mid-day meal menu. A considerable increase in the minimum support price (MSP) and inclusion in PDS was also approved to promote the production of millets. When the UNGA agreed to India’s proposal and designated 2023 as IYM (International Year of Millets) to raise awareness of these grains, the promotion of millet for food basket and production in India gathered steam. By raising knowledge of the advantages of millets for the 3Cs (cultivator, consumer, and climate), our nation hopes to turn IYM 2023 into a “people’s movement” and establish itself as the “global hub for millets.”I am pleased to present the most recent issues of the MOBILISATION journal (January–April 2023) to our devoted readers. I trust that the compilation of strategic and practical research findings in this issue will make for an engaging academic reading experience. The current issue addresses a broad range of subjects from numerous angles. A couple of them involve the Status of <italic>Green Economy</italic>, Quality evaluation of pearl millet blended cake, Biofortified pearl millet production, Ecosystem analysis of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) and entrepreneurial behaviour, Integrated farming systems, Knowledge dissemination and Information processing, Nutrient management aspects, Genetic studies on crop improvement, Co-management in common property resources, Impact studies of various development programmes, research on ICT applications for agriculture and animal husbandry, and climate-smart agriculture.I acknowledge a great deal of hard work and dedication of Drs. Souvik Ghosh, S. K. Dubey, R. Roy Burman, Nishi Sharma, S.R.K. Singh, Reshma Gills, Sudipta Paul, Sujit Sarkar and Amit K Goswami of the editorial team for the fruition of the current issue of the journal. My sincere gratitude is extended to Drs. Subhashree Sahu and Hema Baliwada for their steadfast guidance and support in forming this journal issue as online editors. Above all, I want to thank our esteemed authors and readers for their scientific contributions, academic support and encouragement, making our journal stand out among other scientific journals.<bold>J.P. Sharma</bold><italic>Chief Editor</italic></sec></body></article></article></body></html>

jcmsd

Journal of Community Mobilization and Sustainable Development

2230-90472231-6736

Society for Community Mobilization for Sustainable Development

jcmsd-18-1-001

EDITORIAL

Editorial

Sharma

J.P.

Online published on 18 September, 2023.

181-32023

181

2023

IndianJournals.com

Millets, a group of small-seeded grasses that are highly nutritious with a low glycemic index, have been of national importance in India. History of millets in India begins before the Indian Bronze Age (4,500 BC), as evidenced by the identification of foxtail millet <italic>(Priyangava)</italic>, Barnyard millet (<italic>Aanava)</italic>, and black finger millet <italic>(Shyaamaka)</italic> in some of the oldest <italic>Yajurveda</italic> texts. Millets were eventually abandoned from Indian agriculture as ‘orphan crops’ because they were considered inferior to rice or wheat and unfit for a more affluent palate. India still stands in the topmost position in millet production globally, but its output has declined from 40% of the grain production share to just 10%. In recent years, efforts to boost farmer incomes, combat climate change, and enhance food security through a sustainable production system have placed a fresh emphasis on millet promotion in India. Major campaigns to promote millet began in 2018 with the ‘rebranding’ of millet from their classification as ‘coarse cereals’ to ‘Nutri-Cereals’ in light of its “high nutritive value” and “anti-diabetic properties.” Subsequently, the government has merged INSIMP (Initiative for Nutritional Security through Intensive Millet Promotion, 2011-14) under RKVY (Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana) with the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and observed 2018 as the National Year of Millets to promote the millet production and consumption. In 2021, Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN)- the revamped mid-day meal programme included millets in the mid-day meal menu. A considerable increase in the minimum support price (MSP) and inclusion in PDS was also approved to promote the production of millets. When the UNGA agreed to India’s proposal and designated 2023 as IYM (International Year of Millets) to raise awareness of these grains, the promotion of millet for food basket and production in India gathered steam. By raising knowledge of the advantages of millets for the 3Cs (cultivator, consumer, and climate), our nation hopes to turn IYM 2023 into a “people’s movement” and establish itself as the “global hub for millets.”I am pleased to present the most recent issues of the MOBILISATION journal (January–April 2023) to our devoted readers. I trust that the compilation of strategic and practical research findings in this issue will make for an engaging academic reading experience. The current issue addresses a broad range of subjects from numerous angles. A couple of them involve the Status of <italic>Green Economy</italic>, Quality evaluation of pearl millet blended cake, Biofortified pearl millet production, Ecosystem analysis of Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) and entrepreneurial behaviour, Integrated farming systems, Knowledge dissemination and Information processing, Nutrient management aspects, Genetic studies on crop improvement, Co-management in common property resources, Impact studies of various development programmes, research on ICT applications for agriculture and animal husbandry, and climate-smart agriculture.I acknowledge a great deal of hard work and dedication of Drs. Souvik Ghosh, S. K. Dubey, R. Roy Burman, Nishi Sharma, S.R.K. Singh, Reshma Gills, Sudipta Paul, Sujit Sarkar and Amit K Goswami of the editorial team for the fruition of the current issue of the journal. My sincere gratitude is extended to Drs. Subhashree Sahu and Hema Baliwada for their steadfast guidance and support in forming this journal issue as online editors. Above all, I want to thank our esteemed authors and readers for their scientific contributions, academic support and encouragement, making our journal stand out among other scientific journals.<bold>J.P. Sharma</bold><italic>Chief Editor</italic></sec></body></article></article></body></html>