Commemorating the International Year of Millets 2023, Walmart Foundation highlights its grantees ASA – Action for Social Advancement, PRADAN, ICRISAT, and SRIJAN’s efforts, some of who have been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at promoting millet cultivation, a climate resilient grain in India.
With Walmart Foundation funding support since 2021, the grantees work closely with local farmers and FPOs in the millet-producing states of Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and Andhra Pradesh. To promote millet farming as a sustainable agricultural practice, Walmart Foundation grantees continue to revive millet cultivation in the country.
An FPC (Farmer Producer Company) promoted by SRIJAN has played a pivotal role in transforming the lives of 2,500 tribal farmers in the Anuppur district of Madhya Pradesh. By integrating millet cultivation, these communities have experienced a significant reduction in malnutrition. Subhadri Singh who comes from a poor tribal family in Shivrichandas village has earned Rs. 24,000 in just 8 months by learning to operate a Kodo (millet) machine and producing Kodo packaged items like pulao, kheer, laddu, and biscuits.
PRADAN actively promotes nutrition and advocates daily consumption of millets. The PRADAN team works with 4,810 farmers and 5 FPOs in Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and West Bengal. Mamata Rajendra Saiyam from Samnapur district (Madhya Pradesh) used treated Kutki (little millet) seeds and organic fertilizers, that significantly minimized cultivation costs. She sold her produce to a Women Producer Company and earned over 40 percent net return, thereby encouraging other villagers to follow her footsteps.
A women-led Secondary Processing Unit (SPU) owned and operated by an FPC supported by ICRISAT in Anantapuramu, Andhra Pradesh focuses on adding value in addition to driving demand for the grain. The grantee helps drive widespread daily consumption by formulating recipes to make millets more palatable like in the form of cookies and other ready to consume, gluten free food items.
ASA works with 3 FPOs in millets trading in Madhya Pradesh, where they have facilitated 5,200 quintals millet trading in the last 2 quarters and plan to trade an additional 7,000 quintals during the year. Working with millet farmers, ASA is helping them prepare millet-based nutritious products. Shivbhan Singh, from Mohani village adopted advanced practices on his two-acre plot to cultivate improved variety of millet (JK 137) provided by ASA. By selling 16 quintals, Shivbhan has earned Rs. 41,600, leading to a net profit of Rs. 30,000.
Julie Gehrki, Vice President & COO, of the Walmart Foundation said, “At Walmart Foundation, we are deeply committed to fostering sustainable agriculture by supporting local communities. We appreciate the Government of India’s initiatives to highlight millets and we will continue to support grantees as they revive millet cultivation.”
The International Year of Millets 2023 acknowledges the vital role of millets – a drought-tolerant grain that plays an important role in enhancing food security, improves nutrition, and bolsters sustainable agriculture. The Walmart Foundation will continue to support grantees in their millet revival initiatives to foster a healthier and more sustainable future.