GS1 · 10 marks · 150 words

Earlier known as coarse cereals the government rebranded millets in 2018 as nutri-cereals. In this context discuss the ecological and nutritional significance of millets

Answered by 8 toppers · CSE 2022–2025

Natural ResourcesClimate ChangeClimatologySalient Features

Syllabus: Distribution of Key Natural Resources across the world (including South Asia and the Indian sub-continent)

How toppers approached it

From 6 of the 8 answers · about 160 words · 83% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • No separate opening50%
  • A date or context17%
  • A definition17%
  • A restatement17%

Body

  • Points and prose50%
  • Points50%

Close

  • No separate close50%
  • A way forward50%

The toppers’ answers

Raghav JhunjhunwalaAIR 4 · CSE 2025 · 159 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

From 'coarse cereals' to 'nutricereals' and to now as 'Shree Anna'; the importance of millets is being increasingly felt.

Body · points and prose

Ecological Significance

  1. Low input intensity a) → low use of fertilizer b) → low needs of irrigation c) → low needs of chemical pesticides, insecticides

  2. Climate Hardy nature → India must incorporate for Climate Smart Agri.

  3. Doubling Farm Income

  4. Critical for Soil Health/Brown revolution (← Ashok Gulati)

Diagram
Map of India showing regions of major millets: - Shaded region in parts of Rajasthan/Gujarat marked 'Bajra' - Shaded region in central/peninsular India marked 'Jowar' - Shaded region in southern India marked 'Ragi' Label: Fig: major Belts

Nutritional Significance

(1) Very low Glycemic Index : Best for patients of Diabetes, cardiovas etc.

(2) Low fat content + Densely packed @ → Anti-oxidants → micro nutrients → critical minerals

(3) Can help solve India's Triple Burden of malnutrition

Obesity | Undernutrition | micronutrient deficiency

(4) Demographic Dividend would be immensely impacted by Dietary patterns of Population (-Eco Survey 23-24)

Close

Govt. has started to promote procurement of millets for ICDS, TPDS, etc. Odisha govt's model of SHG based decentralized system has reaped the state huge benefits.

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