PYQ Relevance:[UPSC 2024] Explain the role of millets for ensuring health and nutritional security in India. Linkage: In this article, discuss how millets, classified as Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) and now as “opportunity crops,” are nutritionally dense and climate-resilient. This question directly aligns with the core components of ‘biohappiness’ that emphasize “nutrition security” and bringing “forgotten foods back to the table”. |
Mentor’s Comment: India’s traditional food habits, especially in tribal and rural areas like Arunachal Pradesh, are at risk because many local plants and crops are disappearing. This loss is not just about rare plants but also about losing foods that are nutritious, climate-resilient, and hold cultural importance, along with the traditional knowledge that supports them.
Today’s editorial will talk about the quick loss of biodiversity and traditional food knowledge in India. It will help with GS Paper II (Policy Making) and GS Paper III (Agriculture & Environment).
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Let’s learn!
Why in the News?
The fast loss of biodiversity and food knowledge, caused by cash crops, global diets, and weak policies, urges India to use new science and revive orphan crops (Neglected and Underutilized Species) like millets for better food and environment.
What are Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS)?
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Why are they now referred to as “opportunity crops”?
- Nutritionally Dense: These crops are rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals, making them excellent for improving health. Eg: Small millets are high in fiber and micronutrients compared to rice and wheat.
- Climate-Resilient: They can withstand harsh environmental conditions like drought and poor soils, helping farmers adapt to climate change. Eg: Finger millet (ragi) grows well in dry and marginal lands.
- Locally Adapted: These crops are naturally suited to local soils and climates, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and irrigation. Eg: Buckwheat thrives in the hilly regions of Northeast India without intensive inputs.
- Support Biodiversity: Cultivating these crops preserves agrobiodiversity and traditional farming knowledge, maintaining ecological balance. Eg: Indigenous legumes help fix nitrogen in soil, improving fertility naturally.
- Economic Potential: Reviving these crops can create new market opportunities, increase farmers’ incomes, and diversify food production. Eg: Millet-based products are gaining popularity in urban markets for their health benefits.
Why is agrobiodiversity declining in Northeast India?
- Rapid Disappearance of Traditional Plants: Many native plant species are disappearing quickly due to changing land use and environmental pressures. Eg: Traditional greens and wild fruits once common in Arunachal Pradesh are becoming rare.
- Loss of Traditional Knowledge: Indigenous knowledge about the nutritional and medicinal properties of local plants is being lost as younger generations move away from traditional lifestyles. Eg: Nyishi and Apatani tribes’ understanding of forest plants is fading.
- Shift to Commercial Crops: Farmers are moving from diverse local crops to cash crops for better income, reducing crop variety. Eg: In Kolli Hills, many farmers switched from millets to coffee and pepper.
- Environmental Changes and Species Extinction: Habitat loss and climate change are causing a rise in species extinction, mirroring a global trend. Eg: Forest degradation in Northeast India is threatening native biodiversity.
- Lack of Awareness and Support: There is limited awareness and institutional support for conserving local agrobiodiversity, leading to neglect. Eg: Many minor millets remain neglected in government schemes despite their benefits.
Where has millet revival been successfully implemented?
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How does a few crops’ dominance affect global nutrition?
- Over-Reliance on Few Crops: Global food systems mainly depend on rice, wheat, and maize, which provide over 50% of plant-based calories. This limits dietary diversity. Eg: Many populations rely heavily on rice, leading to monotonous diets.
- Loss of Biodiversity: Dominance of a few crops causes a decline in agricultural biodiversity, reducing availability of diverse nutrients. Eg: Traditional millets and legumes are neglected, despite being nutrient-rich.
- Nutritional Imbalances: Diets based on a limited number of staple crops can cause deficiencies in vitamins, minerals, and proteins. Eg: Populations depending mainly on wheat may face iron and zinc deficiencies.
- Vulnerability to Climate Shocks: Dependence on few crops makes food systems more susceptible to climate change impacts, threatening food security. Eg: Droughts affecting maize crops can lead to widespread shortages.
- Rise in Non-Communicable Diseases: Limited crop diversity correlates with an increase in diseases like diabetes and obesity, due to poor diet quality. Eg: High consumption of refined wheat and maize products contributes to obesity trends.
What are the steps taken by the Indian government?
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Way forward:
- Expand Millet Coverage and Integration: Broaden the focus beyond major millets (ragi, jowar, bajra) to include minor millets and other neglected crops in state missions and the Public Distribution System (PDS) for greater reach and impact.
- Strengthen Farmer Empowerment and Research: Support community-led conservation, improve value addition technologies, and invest in interdisciplinary researchto enhance crop resilience, nutritional value, and market opportunities.
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