Millets in Mid Day Meal Scheme

Table of Contents

Millets in Mid Day Meal Scheme: Relevance

GS 2: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections of the population by the Centre and States and the performance of these schemes

Recently, Union Government has urged the states to explore the possibility of introducing millets in the mid-day meal scheme.

They are rich in minerals and B-complex vitamins, as well as proteins and antioxidants, making them an ideal choice for improving the nutritional outcome of children.
However, despite such benefits, consumption of millets remains low due to lack of awareness and availability.
As per National Family Health Survey-IV, 38 per cent of children under five years of age are stunted and 59 per cent of children are suffering from anaemia.
Among one of the series of initiatives, to reduce malnutrition and anaemia, the Government is laying emphasis on consumption of millets.
NITI Aayog has also been advocating the need to introduce millets in the mid-day meal programme, moving away from rice and wheat.
Moreover, in 2019, NITI Aayog had released a report showing the benefits of millets based on a study among adolescents in four Karnataka schools.

Mid Day Meal scheme was recently renamed as PM-POSHAN.
24 lakh students receiving pre-primary education at government and government-aided schools will also be brought under the ambit of the scheme from next year.
PM POSHAN has been launched for an initial period of five years (2021-22 to 2025-26). The Centre will bear Rs 54,061 crore of the total estimated cost of Rs 1.3 lakh crore;
PM POSHAN does not propose any hike in the honorarium of cooks and workers;

Under MDM, which was first launched in 1995, hot cooked food is provided to student from Classes 1 to 5.
In 2017, the scheme was expanded to include students from classes 1 to 8.
Primary (1-5) and upper primary (6-8) schoolchildren are currently entitled to 100 grams and 150 grams of food grains per working day each, to ensure a minimum of 700 calories;
Tamil Nadu is considered the pioneer in introducing mid-day meals in government schools.