Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday, 21 September 2026, called for a decisive shift towards millets as a public health and environmental imperative, warning that nature's limits cannot be crossed if humanity is to protect both the earth and itself. Speaking at the 'Millets for Health' seminar at Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu, Sinha urged the medical fraternity, scientists, farmers, and citizens to integrate millets into everyday diets.

A Day of Millets Advocacy

The LG's appearance at GMC was preceded by a national dialogue on the Millets Mission organised by SKUAST, Jammu, making it a full-day advocacy push for the ancient grain. Sinha described the seminar not merely as an academic exercise, but as a reminder of collective responsibility — to the earth, its water bodies, farming families, rural communities, and the health of every citizen.

'Nature's message is clear that limits cannot be crossed, and millets offer a credible alternative,' he said, framing the call to action as both ecological and nutritional.

The NCD Alarm: Data That Demands Attention

Citing the 2018 ICMR report, Sinha pointed to a stark public health trajectory: non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 61.8% of all deaths in 2016, up sharply from 37.09% in 1990. He also referenced the National Family Health Survey, which recorded high blood pressure in 11% of women and 15% of men aged 15–49.

'These are not merely medical problems, but they directly affect family economic conditions, social life and national productivity. Greater inclusion of our traditional food, millets, can show us an important path towards disease prevention and a healthy lifestyle,' he said.

Millets: Ancient Grains, Modern Evidence

The LG underlined that millets — including bajra, jowar, ragi, kodo, kutki, kangni and sanwa — are as old as Indian civilisation. These crops grow with minimal water in harsh climates and require little chemical input. Nutritionally, he noted, millets are rich in fibre, iron, calcium and other micronutrients. Several research papers suggest they carry a relatively low glycaemic index and support heart health, cholesterol control and weight management.

'Looking at the research studies, I can say that millets impact the entire chain, from protecting individual health to conserving nature,' Sinha said, calling on the medical fraternity to carry awareness of their benefits to every section of society.

Call to Farmers, Scientists and Citizens

Moving from advocacy to specifics, Sinha appealed to farmers to diversify crops and to scientists to develop high-yielding, climate-adapted millet varieties. Doctors and nutrition experts were urged to build evidence-based awareness about millets' role in a balanced diet. He made a direct appeal to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir to prioritise millets over processed food.

'If we all move forward together, we can build a Jammu and Kashmir that ensures food security, safeguards citizens' health, and also protects water, soil and the environment. Together, we should sow the seeds of health, sustainability and prosperity,' he said.

The seminar was attended by Padma Shri Khadar Vali, GMC Jammu Principal Ashutosh Gupta, Umendra Dutt of the Kheti Virasat Mission, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Ramesh Kumar, along with senior officials, domain experts, faculty, and students. With millet awareness campaigns gaining momentum nationally, J&K's institutional push on this front signals a broadening of the agenda beyond food security into preventive healthcare.