In today’s fast-paced society, convenience often dictates food choices, leading to a reliance on junk food, "ready-to-go" meals, and quick delivery options. While this shift can compromise health, WeAct's efforts to raise awareness about healthy eating have increased interest in nutritious alternatives. In this phase of rising health consciousness, traditional grains are making a strong comeback as healthier alternatives to junk food. With WeAct members in Karnataka leading millet production and consumption, these nutrient-rich grains offer a solution to the growing problem of unhealthy eating habits.
The study by the National Library of Medicine states that the growing consumption of junk food, especially among children and working professionals, has resulted in alarming obesity rates. A study of 300 boys aged 13.5 years revealed that 97.3% of them consumed fast food, with 14.4% eating it daily. Further, many children are introduced to junk food through television commercials, leading to unhealthy eating habits. The study also indicated a lack of daily fruit and vegetable consumption, with overall junk food intake correlating with increased obesity risk. This highlights the critical need for healthier alternatives, such as millet-based products, to curb the obesity epidemic.
This week, to address this issue, WeAct has published an insightful blog on millets, highlighting their benefits, their role as a healthier alternative to junk food, and the environmental advantages of millet cultivation.
Please read on to learn how WeAct women from Karnataka are transforming the junk food culture with their millet-based products.
WeAct’s Role in Empowering Rural Women Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneurship plays a transformative role in rural development, empowering communities to achieve financial sustainability, social mobility, and long-term growth. Recognising this potential, WeAct focuses on supporting rural women entrepreneurs by providing mentorship and access to essential market linkages. By tapping into the growing interest in nutrient-rich alternatives, WeAct empowers Karnataka’s rural women entrepreneurs in their millet-based ventures, enabling them to meet the rising demand for healthier food options.
Karnataka, one of the leading states in millet production, sees WeAct women entrepreneurs at the forefront of this movement; these women entrepreneurs transform millets into wholesome snacks such as millet laddus, cookies, cakes, and khakhras. This revival of millet-based foods offer health-conscious consumers nutritious choices and creates sustainable livelihoods for rural women, contributing to economic empowerment and the preservation of India’s agricultural heritage.
Millets: The Ancient Grains Reclaiming Their Place in Modern Diets
Millets, ancient grains that have long been a staple in traditional diets, are now making a modern comeback in innovative forms like ragi snacks, cookies, cakes, and khakhra. This comeback is driven by a growing awareness of their nutritional benefits and the need for healthier alternatives to junk food. WeAct members have successfully transformed these grains into nutritious and delicious snacks. Supported by WeAct through market access, digital literacy, and business mentorship, these entrepreneurs are preserving India's agricultural heritage.
This revival reflects a desire to reconnect with ancient food practices and offer products that meet the health-conscious demands of the modern consumer.
Millets are rich in fibre, protein, iron, calcium, and essential vitamins. They are gluten-free, making them a great option for people with gluten sensitivities. Their high fibre content aids in digestion and helps regulate blood sugar levels, making them a good option for people managing diabetes or seeking to maintain a healthy weight. Millets are also low in glycemic index, which means they provide a steady release of energy without spiking blood sugar levels.
The Cultural Legacy of Millets in Southern India
Millets have a deep cultural and historical significance in Southern India, where they have been grown and consumed for centuries. In Karnataka, for instance, ragi (finger millet) has been a staple food of rural communities, providing nutrition for generations. By reviving the use of millets in modern food products, WeAct members are helping to preserve this valuable cultural heritage while meeting the growing demand for health-conscious food choices.
WeAct Members Leading the Change
Latha, from Devanahalli Village in Mandya, Karnataka, successfully transitioned her business from a small masala shop to a thriving millet products venture with support from WeAct; She obtained her licence and mastered technology adoption, packaging, and market expansion.
Currently, WeAct collaborates with 39 groups and 2 individual women entrepreneurs in Karnataka, as well as 61 groups comprising 923 women across India, all engaged in millet-based businesses. WeAct empowers these entrepreneurs to transform traditional, eco-friendly products into profitable ventures, promoting sustainable development and economic empowerment.
Millet-based Products
WeAct members have transformed millets into a variety of popular guilt-free snacks. These include traditional delights such as millet laddus, ragi sev, chips, mixture, millet cookies, and cakes. These products show the versatility of millet, highlighting the entrepreneurial spirit of our rural women members.
Healthier Alternatives to Junk Food
Millet-based products are positioned as healthier alternatives to junk food. Rich in fibre, protein, and essential nutrients, these snacks cater to the growing segment of health-conscious consumers. By offering nutritious options that are both delicious and convenient, WeAct members' millet products are helping to combat unhealthy eating habits and promoting better dietary choices.
Response to these millet-based products has been overwhelmingly positive. As awareness of the health benefits of millet grows, so does the demand for these wholesome snacks. Customers appreciate the nutritional value, unique flavours, and textures that millets offer. This rising demand is helping to drive the success of WeAct rural women entrepreneurs, ensuring they can continue to thrive and expand their businesses.
The Environmental Benefits of Millets
Millet requires minimal water and high nutritional value, making it ideal for sustainable agriculture. These hardy crops contribute to soil health, support biodiversity, and possess remarkable resilience against extreme weather, promoting eco-friendly farming practices and ensuring long-term environmental benefits.
One of the standout qualities of millets is their ability to thrive in extreme conditions. With their drought tolerance and ability to withstand high temperatures, millets are climate-resilient crops. This ability to adapt to climate change makes millets a crucial component of sustainable food systems in regions that are increasingly vulnerable to unpredictable weather patterns.
Soil Health and Conservation
Millets play an essential role in maintaining soil health. They improve soil fertility and reduce erosion due to their deep root systems. Additionally, millets are beneficial in crop rotation practices, helping to break pest and disease cycles and contributing to overall soil conservation. The reduced need for fertilisers and pesticides further emphasises their environmental benefits.
Conclusion
Millets have the potential to become a mainstream health food option, offering a nutritious and sustainable alternative to junk food. With the support of WeAct, rural women entrepreneurs in Karnataka are leading the charge in bringing these ancient grains back into modern diets. By continuing to expand their efforts, WeAct is empowering women, contributing to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.
References
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4484093/#:~:text=Results,confounders%20(p=0.003).
- https://www.organics-millets.in/index.php/Welcome/aboutdepartment#:~:text=Karnataka:%20Millet%20capital%20of%20India,above%20the%20MSP%20from%20farmers.
- https://thebetterindia.com/50650/rural-tamil-nadu-millet-based-products/#google_vignette
- https://www.granthaalayahpublication.org/journals/granthaalayah/article/view/5616/5474
- https://thebetterindia.com/275099/first-woman-rural-entrepreneur-village-success-organic-ragi-rice-millets-farming/