Expert Advocates Millets as Healthier Alternative to Rice and Wheat

Quick Summary

• Khadar Vali, known as the ‘Millet Man of India,’ spoke at a State-level seminar on August 18 in Kozhikode, promoting millet-based food habits.
• He stated that replacing rice or wheat with millets can prevent or cure 80% of diseases,citing their health benefits such as controlling glucose levels and addressing conditions like diabetes,fatty liver,and thyroid problems.
• Millets are high in fiber and possess anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing, and anti-cancer properties while countering hormonal, microbial, and glucose imbalances.
• Millets require minimal water for cultivation and are suitable for arid regions or roadside farming, aiding water conservation efforts.
• Mr. Vali received the Padma Shri award in 2023 for his contributions to millet awareness over 20 years.
• Cherudhanya Mahatmyam, a book detailing millet protocols for specific diseases authored by Mr. Vali was launched during the event.
• P.T.A Rahim (MLA) inaugurated the seminar; C.P. Abdurahman from Organic Farmers’ Collective presided over it.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Khadar Vali’s advocacy underscores millets’ dual potential as both a health remedy and an environmentally sustainable crop option for India’s agricultural sector amidst concerns around water scarcity. The promotion of millet could have significant implications on public health by addressing lifestyle-related illnesses such as diabetes that are increasingly prevalent across urban India.

Additionally, cultivating millets aligns well with India’s focus on sustainable farming practices to combat climate change effects since they demand minimal resources compared to staple crops like rice or wheat.

Policy support towards encouraging millet production while raising consumer awareness might potentially be crucial to scaling its adoption nationwide-but challenges remain in shifting cultural preferences toward traditional grains rather of dominant staples like rice/wheat.

Read More: The Hindu