Colonial Perspectives on Decline in Popularity of Millets in India

Millets include jowar, bajra, ragi, jau etc. is a group of smallseeded grasses that are cultivated in arid and semi-arid climate.These crops are full of nutritious values and had been theprimary diet for people of our country since ancient time.These grasses are more nutritious than rice or wheat. Milletsare rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals. Despite their so manybenefits, millets faced a decline in popularity in our country andthe modern crops- rice and wheat gained prominence. Therehad been many factors responsible for decline in popularityof Millets in India- enhanced food demand of country due topopulation growth, development of irrigation system, focus ofgreen revolution on two crops- wheat and rice etc. Apart fromthese, Colonialism has also been a major factor for decline inpopularity of Millets in India.