Conceptual approach and empirical evidence on millet awareness among Nutrition students of Hyderabad after IYOM-An exploratory study

International year of millets (IYOM) 2023 is a global campaign initiated to foster millets
value chain providing intuitive solution to global food security. The present study meant to
evaluate the exposure towards millets and perception on millet based products among post
graduate students having nutrition as one of the subjects from different colleges of Hyderabad
city (120 no.) through structured interview schedule. The study focused on concepts related
to awareness about millets, health benefits, consumption pattern and millet processing. As
part of survey, participants identified three major millets (bajra, ragi and jowar)
predominantly,70% identified IYOM year as 2023 correctly, 59% of the participants were
unable to list out traditional recipes based on millets, 89% had awareness about value added
products on millets, 75% started preferring millets in various food outlets, 68% regimented
millets in their regular diet and 94% believed millet good for diabetics. Regarding processing
of millets 81% of the participants reported flour milling as major processing component and
other methods they were not aware off. Millets has been a staple food for centuries, had more
health benefits other than good for diabetics, had more value addition options in millets other
than flour making are some of the revelations explicitly and precisely need to be conscious of
by these upcoming health professionals.