Coarse grains, also known as millets, have always been a part of Indian culinary tradition. There was a time when our plates were filled with dishes made from coarse grains, but after the Green Revolution, Indian agriculture underwent significant changes. Under the guise of food security, the Green Revolution imposed itself, and its long-term effects have not been entirely beneficial. During the Green Revolution, local geography and climate were ignored, and there was a push for monoculture agriculture, particularly wheat and rice. This revolution drastically reduced the cultivation of traditional local crops.
Before the Green Revolution, 46% of the total kharif season production consisted of pearl millet, while rice production was only 13%. If we talk about the rabi season, before the Green Revolution, chickpeas accounted for 42% of the total rabi crop, with wheat being just 4.3%. After the Green Revolution, the scenario changed entirely. Continuous growth was observed in rice and wheat production, and our traditional coarse grains were left behind.
Furthermore, the environmental impact of the Green Revolution has been alarming. Groundwater levels depleted drastically, soil quality degraded, water became polluted, biodiversity was lost, and the most concerning issue was the increasing use of hazardous pesticides in our grains and food items. States like Punjab and Haryana faced the problem of cancer due to the excessive use of chemical pesticides. Many are still grappling with these issues today.
The primary reason behind the dire consequences of the Green Revolution is its emphasis on water-intensive and chemical fertilizer-intensive farming. These crops require a substantial amount of water and chemical inputs. Additionally, the cost of cultivating these crops is high. These crops are not sustainable according to local climate and geography.
So, the question arises: What is the way forward? Food has a deep connection with geography. Food should match the local geography. Our nature respects locality and diversity. The future lies in coarse grains. Experts suggest that coarse grains can combat the challenges posed by climate change. Coarse grains require very little water for cultivation and need minimal chemical fertilizers and pesticides. These grains are inherently linked to our local geography, which makes them beneficial for crop diversity and soil health. Not only that, coarse grains have the ability to withstand drought and the impacts of global warming.
Speaking of coarse grains, they include crops like pearl millet, sorghum, finger millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet, little millet, kodo millet, proso millet, and kangni. In the end, it’s essential to note that while wheat and rice were prioritized for our food security, they fall short in meeting our nutritional needs. Wheat and rice can fill our stomachs, but for nutritional requirements, we need to turn to coarse grains. Coarse grains provide more nutrition compared to wheat and rice.
The Indian government has declared the year 2023 as the ‘Year of Millets’ to promote the consumption of coarse grains as an essential part of our diet. So, if someone asks why the future is brighter for coarse grains, the answer is that they use less water, fewer chemical pesticides, fewer chemical fertilizers, and they are much more nutritious compared to wheat and rice.