AP produced 2,150 tonne millets in past five years

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh produced 2,150.39 tonne of millets in the past five years, while the total production of millets in the country for the past five years stands at 81,350.25 tonne, according to Union minster of agriculture Narendrasingh Tomar.

Replying to a question raised by MP V Vijayasai Reddy in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, the Union minister said that millets cultivation was included in National Food Security Mission and being implemented in 212 districts of 14 states. The Union minister said that the UN declared 2023 as International Year of Millets and stressed the need for making the millets cultivation as a people's movement.

He said campaign will be taken up to bring awareness among people on benefits of using millets. Steps will be taken to encourage millets exports by branding them, he added.

Tomar said that the Union agricultural ministry has been providing incentives to encourage millet cultivation through a sub mission. The ministry has been funding research in millet production to improve quality millet production.