Mr. Shammi Agarwal, Director, Pansari Group
Millet has been gaining traction globally over the past few years as people become more aware of its health benefits. Making it an ideal food choice for anyone looking to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
What is the reason behind millet-led growth globally?
With the UNGA’s (UNGA) authorization of the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023, our country can seize the chance and guarantee the country’s nutrition security by cultivating and promoting millet crops. This is due to the nutritional and health benefits associated with millets, as well as their ability to grow in marginal lands.
Due to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, the prices of wheat and rice have soared, making it tough for developing countries to provide the basic nutrition needs for their citizens. In light of this, the “Shree Anna” initiative is focused on rapidly elevating millet production to reduce the strain on two other staple crops: rice & wheat, in a bid to enhance food security and make the nation self-sufficient in the production and consumption of other staple food grains. Therefore, if we cultivate and produce millet-based flour in large quantities, this would lessen the demand for wheat flour and rice. Eventually, ease the burden on wheat flour and rice prices, leading to an increase in affordability for the public. Millet-based flours have the potential to become a profitable and viable substitute for wheat flour and rice in India, given that there is a high production of millets in our country.
How is Pansari contributing to the government’s millet initiative?
The honourable finance minister highlighted “Shree Anna” in Budget 2023, alluded to millets’ potential as a profitable and sustainable crop, and promoted usage as a national priority. The Pansari Group has recognized the potential health benefits of millet, and it already offers a diverse range of millet-based products, including flours such as Bajra, Wheat Bran, Ragi, Rajgira, Makki, and Indimix, which are popular in Indian households. Taking it further, the “Simply Desilicious” multigrain ready-to-cook product line consists of multigrain chilla mix, multigrain upma mix, multigrain idli mix, multigrain ragi idli mix, multigrain dosa mix, and multigrain ragi dosa mix that require a few minutes to prepare and serve.
The company is supporting the “Shree Anna” initiative as mentioned during the budget 2023 with its millet-based products because, as we already offer a huge range of millet-based products to our consumers. Furthermore, we at The Pansari Group are creating awareness about the nutritional benefits of millet and its versatility by taking their products to the consumers directly during food expos and other events.
How big is the millet flour market, and what are the possibilities for growth, according to you?
The millet flour market has been steadily growing over the last few years, as more and more consumers become aware of the health benefits of consuming these whole grains. In the last 5 years, India has produced 41% of millet, making it the world’s leading producer of millet. India’s millet export value reached $64.28 million in 2021–22, compared with $59.75 million in 2020–21. With initiatives like “Shree Anna” and agricultural subsidies, growth is expected to reach even higher levels in the coming years.
Is Pansari Group planning to introduce more millet-based products shortly?
Millet has been gaining traction globally over the past few years as people become more aware of its health benefits. Making it an ideal food choice for anyone looking to maintain a balanced and healthy diet.
In the Union Budget 2023–24, the honourable Finance Minister denoted millets, or coarse grains, as Shree Anna. India is leading the charge toward making Shree Anna more well-known worldwide and encouraging its consumption and production. This presented a profitable opportunity for Pansari Group as the export of millet-based products has the potential to be a major revenue source. As millets are a superfood, containing high levels of fiber, magnesium, and vitamins B1 and E, they have become popular among health-conscious consumers.
Therefore, if consumer demand for healthier, easy-to-cook options increases, Pansari Group will plan to introduce more millet-based products shortly to meet the changing needs of consumers and stay ahead with food trends.
How is it going to affect the regular wheat flour products and rice market share?
Wheat and rice staple food grains that provide nutrition to millions around the world and have held significant market share for many years. Because of the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, flour prices have skyrocketed due to bulk exports to war-prone regions, resulting in a shortage of wheat flour for everyday consumption. Hence, India restricted exports of the food staple to ensure a sufficient supply for its 1.4 billion citizens.
Additionally, with more millet-based products being made available in the market, consumers will be offered greater choices and be able to benefit from their nutritional value. With the increase in millet production, the wheat flour and rice markets will stay stable without further affecting them, and the market share won’t be negatively impacted. The healthier alternatives such as gluten-free and whole-grain products have the potential to drastically reduce the market share of wheat and rice.
How long will it take India to include millet-based foods in their daily diet?
As people’s preference for healthy food and products increases, there is a chance that it may not take long for millet-based foods to be incorporated into the diets of Indians. With a concerted effort from the government, increased public awareness, and greater access to millet through initiatives such as “Shree Anna,” it is possible that India could see a dramatic shift in its dietary habits towards millet-based foods within just a few years. Also, the Pansari Group participated in events in Delhi and Haryana like the G20 summit to raise awareness about millet-based food products and promote their inclusion in the daily diets of Indians.
How does the government’s support to boost “Shri Anna” production work for the welfare of Indian farmers?
Millet is a notable Kharif crop for India; not only is it a reliable source of nutrition, but it also provides a much-needed source of income to farmers. In addition to providing for nutritional needs, over 10 million small and marginal farmers in India rely upon the millet sector to support their livelihoods.
The subsidies provided to the agriculture sector will help make it more profitable for farmers and enable them to reap the highest possible yields from their millet crops. Also, The government’s support for the Shri Anna initiative helps to ensure that Indian farmers receive the resources, fair market prices, and assistance necessary to properly cultivate and produce millet-based products.