Q. Consider the following statements regarding millets:
1.Year 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets (IYM) by UN General Assembly.
2.India’s yield of millets is higher than global average.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[A] 1 only

[B] 2 only

[C] Both 1 and 2

[D] Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: C
Notes:

Explanation: The United Nations General Assembly, in its 75th session during March 2021, declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM).

  • Millets are Smart Food with high nutritional value, are climate resilient, and align with several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • These are also important by virtue of their mammoth potential to generate livelihood, increase farmers’ income and ensure food & nutritional security all over the world.
  • India produces more than 50.9 million tonnes (as per fourth advance estimate) of millet which accounts for 80 per cent of Asia’s and 20 per cent of global production.
  • The global average yield is 1229 kg/ha, whereas India has a higher average yield of 1239 kg/ha.

Source: Economic Survey 2023