FM Sitharaman quoted Prime Minister as saying, “India is at the forefront of popularising Millets, whose consumption furthers nutrition, food security and welfare of farmers”. India a global hub for 'Shree Anna', the Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will be supported as the Centre of Excellence for sharing best practices, research and technologies at the international level.

She said that India is the largest producer and second largest exporter of ‘Shree Anna’ in the world as it grows several types of 'Shree Anna' such as jowar, ragi, bajra, kuttu, ramdana, kangni, kutki, kodo, cheena, and sama.

She mentioned that these have a number of health benefits, and have been an integral part of our food for centuries and acknowledged with pride the huge service done by small farmers in contributing to the health of fellow citizens by growing these ‘Shree Anna’. 

Rakesh Kilaru, Co-founder and CEO, Nourish You said, "Overall the Union Budget has an optimistic outlook for the agricultural sector. Nourish You’s extensive and focused research and development over the past few years have enabled us to develop cutting-edge millet products that we aim to introduce in the market this year."

With the increase in the production and consumption of millets, its export will also increase, which will benefit a large number of farmers, said Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Sunday. 

Last month while speaking at the industry event, he lauded the efforts of the Karnataka government to increase the production and consumption of millets and termed the signing of MoUs worth Rs 201 crore rupees as an important milestone. 

Farmers are being given an annual income aid of Rs 6,000 through the Prime Minister Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan) Scheme. 

Besides, farmers in Karnataka are being given additional annual income support of Rs. 4,000 each. 

"With the aim of increasing the potential of the majority of small farmers, Prime Minister Modi has initiated setting up of 10,000 new Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in the country, on which the government is spending Rs. 6,865 crore," he added. 

Sharing the quote from the Co-founders of Wholsum Foods, Meghana Narayan and Shauravi Malik, Co-founders, Wholsum Foods said, “Union Budget of 23-24 envisions India becoming the global hub for millets. As a millet-focused brand, we applaud this step to make India the global leader of this supergrain. The Govt has also announced turning the Indian Institute of Millet Research- Hyderabad into a centre of excellence to foster innovation which is especially commendable and will continue to help brands like us in enabling adoption and achieving India’s millet dreams.”

The budget will help drive the millet revolution in India and create a dominant place for it in the agri sector. The budget envisages India becoming a global hub for Sri Ann or millets too.