Scope of Agri-startup in Millets

Introduction :

 

Millets are a varied group of small-seeded nutritional grains such as Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Kangni, Kuttu, and Jhangora, among others. For their therapeutic properties, millets are also used in Ayurvedic medicines. Millets are taking their position on the plate and becoming part of the diet of health-conscious people, not by force but by choice. The demand for millets-based products is increasing in the urban areas thus creating ample opportunities for new market entrants’ entrepreneurs. In International Year of Millet (IYOM) 2023, provide support to startup entrepreneurs for recipes and value-added products to promote millet consumption.

 

The uniqueness of Millets :  

 

Millets are a superfood and are the powerhouse of rich nutrients packed with energy. It got its reward and is now called as Nutri-Cereals.  Millets are gluten-free and the trend of the gluten-free market is increasing at a faster rate. It contains a good profile of micronutrients. It does not contain trans fat. It is rich in dietary fiber and resistant starch which works as pre-biotics. It is alkaline in nature and contains non-acid-forming properties. Millets contain a balanced amino profile. The digestibility of millets can be increased by proper processing and malting. Millets are good for farmers as it is suitable for dryland farming and require less agricultural inputs and can sustain drought It is good for the planet as it is a climate-resilient crop. It is used in the pharmaceutical industry.

 

Millets Nutritional and Functional Properties :

 

Millets	Functional Properties	Nutritional Properties
Finger Millet	High hydration capacity High viscosity	Rich in Calcium
Barnyard Millet	High emulsion activity and stability High dough-raising capacity	Rich in Iron
Little Millet	High water absorption index	High-Fat content High Potassium content
Kodo Millet	High water solubility	High Protein content
Foxtail Millet	High viscosity High water adsorption	High ash
Sorghum	High hydration capacity Low swelling capacity High bulk density	High fiber content
Pearl Millet	High water solubility High oil absorption capacity	Rich in Iron
Proso Millet	High hydration index	High Zinc content

 

Millets Startup Ecosystem : 

 

The Indian Institute on Millet Research (IIMR), under RKVY RAFTAAR, has incubated 250 start-ups. INR 6.2 crores disbursed to over 66 startups with an additional 20-25 startups approved for further funding. Startups spread across the entire value chain of millets- Primary Processing, RTE, RTC like Breakfast Cereals, Millet Coffee, Pizza Flours, Porridge, Flakes, Puff etc. 

 

Millet Plan for Millet Seed Entrepreneurs :

 

As the demand for millet is increasing there is also demand from the farmers’ side for good quality millet seeds. In India, we have a good presence of quality seeds of Sorghum and Pearl Millet. But there is ample scope for minor millets. Good quality minor millet seeds will increase the production and productivity of millets. Farmers can also join in the Government Seed Production Programme to produce quality seeds. There is a huge potential business in the seed sector.

 

Millet Plan – Millets Packaging for Supermarkets and the Retail Industry :

 

Processed millets can be packed and can be supplied to retail and supermarkets. This is the millet business plan for B2B. Nowadays retailers are dedicating separate aisles and shelves for millet-based products. Putting products on display generates more sales and ultimately more revenue. The millet products can be packed as per the requirements of the clients.

 

Millet Plan for Millet-based Hotel Industry :

 

It’s a very happy moment to see Hotels and Restaurants planning Millet-based tiffins and meals in most of the cities in India like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, and many more. One such inspiring story of Chittem Sudheer of Visakhapatnam started his startup with only Rs.50,000/-. He makes healthy and yummy idlis wrapped in Vistharaku leaves.

 

Millet Plan for Export Industry :

 

India is the largest producer of millets and there is ample demand for millets in the international markets. The potential export markets for Indian Millets in 2020 were Indonesia, Austria, Netherlands, Phillippines and New Zealand. India’s export of millet was 24.5 million dollars in 2017-18, 25.76 million dollars in 2018-19, and 21.05 million dollars in 2019-20 (April to December). According to a report- The North American Millets Market was valued at US$ 841.87 million in 2018 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% during 2019-2027 to reach US$ 1,192.24 million by 2027.
APEDA is taking initiative to the export millets from our country. Recently, Ragi and Barnyard Millet from Uttarakhand were exported to Denmark, creating export opportunities in European countries.

 

Millet Plan for Farmer Producer Organisation (FPO) :

 

Creating FPOs will successfully deal with the constraints and challenges faced by the farmers. It will give strength and bargaining power to access financial and non-financial inputs, services, and technologies. This will help farmers in generating more revenue from the collective sale of millet grains. Under the Odisha Millet Mission, FPOs are created at the block level and are involved in the procurement of Ragi for PDS and ICDS.

 

References :  

 

Mathew, J., & Joseph, M. K. (2022). International Year of Millet 2023: Millet promotion in India for food security. Rajagiri Journal of Social Development, 14(2), 2-17.

 

Pandey, N. L., Rath, R., Datta, M., Choudhury, B. R., & Kandpal, R. (2023). Mainstreaming Millets in G20 Countries Through Integrated Behavioural and Policy Shifts.

 

Harter, C. (2021). Gluten Sensitivity: About Gluten-Associated Disorders and the Purpose of a Gluten-Free Diet. Springer Nature.

 

Jukanti, A. K., Gowda, C. L., Rai, K. N., Manga, V. K., & Bhatt, R. K. (2016). Crops that feed the world 11. Pearl Millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.): an important source of food security, nutrition and health in the arid and semi-arid tropics. Food Security, 8, 307-329.

 

Rai, K. N., Gowda, C. L. L., Reddy, B. V. S., & Sehgal, S. (2008). 

 

Adaptation and potential uses of sorghum and pearl millet in alternative and health foods. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 7(4), 320-396.

 

Satyavathi, C. T., Ambawat, S., Khandelwal, V., & Srivastava, R. K. (2021). Pearl millet: a climate-resilient nutricereal for mitigating hidden hunger and provide nutritional security. Frontiers in Plant Science, 12, 659938.

 

Pandey, A., & Bolia, N. B. (2023). Millet value chain revolution for sustainability: A proposal for India. Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 101592.

 

Shah, P., Dhir, A., Joshi, R., & Tripathy, N. (2023). Opportunities and challenges in food entrepreneurship: In-depth qualitative investigation of millet entrepreneurs. Journal of Business Research, 155, 113372.

 

Basavaraj, G., Rao, P. P., Bhagavatula, S., & Ahmed, W. (2010). 

 

Availability and utilization of pearl millet in India. SAT ejournal, 8.