Diya Kumari Launches Millet Bars to Tackle Child Malnutrition

In a significant move to tackle child malnutrition, Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari has launched a pilot initiative to distribute millet-based nutrition bars to young children enrolled at Anganwadi centres in Jaipur and Udaipur. The initiative, which is being implemented across 544 Anganwadi centres, will benefit around 10,000 children between the ages of 3 and 6. These millet bars are made using locally grown, bio-fortified varieties of grains like finger millet (ragi) and pearl millet (bajra), enriched with essential nutrients such as iron, calcium, protein, and dietary fiber. The goal is to enhance child nutrition while also improving attendance at early childhood care centres.

This innovative program not only promotes health and wellness among young children but also supports traditional farming practices and the local millet economy. Inspired by successful models like the one implemented in Varanasi, which significantly reduced malnutrition rates and improved Anganwadi attendance, the Rajasthan government hopes to replicate similar outcomes. The millet bars are designed to be both nutritious and appealing, helping children receive vital micronutrients in a tasty and culturally familiar form.

The initiative aligns with national priorities under the POSHAN 2.0 mission and continues the momentum of the International Year of Millets (2023), which emphasized the revival of traditional grains to ensure sustainable nutrition. With their high fiber content and slow-releasing energy, millets are ideal for boosting immunity, supporting digestion, and promoting healthy growth in children. This pilot project also encourages local sourcing and engages women in the supply chain, promoting both community development and food security.

If proven successful, this program may soon be scaled up across other districts of Rajasthan and potentially throughout India. It marks a promising step toward addressing nutritional challenges through locally available, climate-resilient food sources, making a strong case for integrating millets into mainstream child nutrition programs.

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