Bengaluru: Millets are gradually regaining their lost popularity as people are slowly realizing the health benefits of these treasure house of nutrition. Taking note of the same, the government has come forward to distribute

millet food under the mid day meal programme, on trial basis in Bengaluru.

Minister for Agriculture Krishna Byre Gowda initiated the programme which was organized by the State government, in association with ICRISAT, at a Government school in Kumaraswamy Layout on Friday.

During the first phase of the programme, 11 government schools and 1,622 aided school children will get millet based Upma, Bisi Bele bath and sweet and spicy Pongal along with the mid-day meals on any two days in a week. The project will be extended to other schools of the State under the guidance of experts, said the Minister.

ICRISAT has begun ‘Global Smart food’ movement to create awareness about the smart foods. The institution has the objective to eradicate hunger and malnutrition from India, said Akshayapatra Foundation Vice President Chanchalapatidas.

In the form of food students eat, rice, wheat, Jowar, Great millet (Sarghum), Pearl millet (sajje), Finger millet (ragi), Foxtail millet (navane), Proso millet (Baragu), Little millet (Saama), Barnyard millet (Udalu), Kodo millet (haraka) food, weighing 100 grams. This includes protein, fat, fiber, carbohydrates, calcium, iron and zinc nutrition contents.