Millet Campaign Launched, MLA Vows Assembly Push

HYDERABAD: A proposal to promote millets in everyday meals will be raised in the Assembly, Jadcherla Congress legislator Janampalli Anirudh Reddy said on Monday, urging people to include at least one millet‑based dish in their daily diet.

Speaking at the launch of the nationwide ‘One Meal a Day with Millets’ campaign, he said changing food habits was necessary against the trend of people moving towards refined grains. “Once, millets were seen as poor man’s food. Now, health‑conscious people are going back to millets,” he said. He added that millets require nearly 80 per cent less water than paddy and offer better nutritional value.

The campaign, led by Millet Marvels along with the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) and Nutrihub, calls on people to adopt at least one millet‑based meal daily and encourage others to do the same. Officials said the initiative aligns with the Centre’s push to revive traditional grains and promote healthier food habits.

Actor Nagarjuna Akkineni supported the campaign through a video message, praising the idea of building a healthier nation through simple dietary changes. Dr Bharat Reddy, founder of Millet Marvels, said the aim was to make millet consumption routine, adding that the campaign would expand globally over time.

Dr C. Tara Satyavathi, director of IIMR, said one‑third of cereals consumed should be millets, warning that current food habits were contributing to lifestyle diseases. Dr J. Stanley of Nutrihub said the campaign links nutrition with sustainability, connecting health, environment, and farmer livelihoods.

Participants pledged to include millets in their daily meals and spread awareness. Officials sampled millet‑based snacks, with one speaker joking that the MLA should avoid weddings that do not serve at least one millet dish, drawing laughter.