1. Millets

2. Millets: Nodal Thematic Design Target: Retrieve the area lost (2001 / 1991.. Level) Retrieve the diets (share of millets in the diet) Approach: Not much promotion of niche consumption But, bulk consumption Strategy: Demand pull-through public food programs (ICDS, MDM, PDS) Local millet clusters (production-processing-consumption) Programs to converge: INSIMP ICDS/ MDM / PDS

3. Activities of Millets Node, RRA Visits completed since December 2012 to March 2013 RRA-MalkangiriOdisha RRA-DoultabadAndhra Pradesh SPS-DewasMadhya Pradesh Main observations Malkangiri:Low productivity of millets generally grown on uplands / Absence of high yielding varieties Finger millet still regularly consumed DoultabadRice and groundnut replaced finger millet Reduction in inter-cropping reduced millets area Cultivation & Consumption - scarce to very low SPSSorghum still under cultivation but very limited Maize replaced sorghum acreage Cultivation & consumption closely linked to their culture / rituals

4. Activities of Millets Node, RRA Initiatives from Millets node Prepared and submitted concept note on inclusion of millets in ICDS to District collector in Malkangiri Shared the proposal on inclusion of millets with CP partners Convergence with INSIMP planned and prepared a note on this and shared with VSK, WASSAN and Malkangiri Planning for trainings to farmers and resource persons on millets

5. Activities of Millets Node, RRA Policy Initiatives Initiated a pilot of millets in Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh through collaborating with another project (RESMISA) funded by IDRC & CIDA and anchored by DHAN foundation Shared idea of inclusion of millets in ICDS to ameliorate malnutrition in NIPCCD, Indore, during the meeting organized by the Ministry of Women and Child welfare and AP Government’s Beaurocrat (Principal Secretaries of Women Development, Health and Finance) Actively contributing to the development o Nutrition Policy for Andhra Pradesh, which can be used in other CP locations to influeunce upon the district administration

6. Activities of Millets Node, RRA Plan for the current year Preparation of policy brief Visit to other CP locations Procurement and supply of millet seeds Organize trainings to farmers Complete Web page and regular updation of the webpage Collaboration with ICRISAT for a policy brief study NEED TO DO A STRATEGIC PLANNNING EXERCISE