Abstract:
This research paper measures the awareness, perception, and consumption pattern of Shridhanya /millets among the local people of Pune City.
Nowadays, because of busy lifestyles and hectic schedules people are tired of making home-cooked food. Due to which they are having serious health issues like high blood pressure, heart problems, thyroid, overweight, etc.
It shows that millet consumption has drastically decreased over the past 3 decades. The major reason would be awareness of nutritional benefits, discomfort in preparing food, etc. In this case, it has become so important to spread awareness about Shridhanya /millets. There are many types of millet which have their own nutritional characteristics. India is the largest producer of millet with a total share of 41%. The types of millets cultivated in India are Kodo millet, Foxtail millet, Proso millet and Little millet, etc. Maharashtra is also the leading millet-producing state in India; millets grown in the state are pearl millet, sorghum millet, and finger millet. Considering the ability to tolerate climatic resilience and their nutritious properties, the government of India has declared the year 2023 as ‘THE YEAR OF MILLETS’.
The data says that 77.4% of the respondents are aware that 2023 is the year of millets declared by the government of India. Most of the respondents are aware that growing Shridhanya/Millets is environmental friendly practice. The data collected, indicates that out of the 106 respondents, 23 (21.7%) respondents think that always buying negative millet (Wheat, Rice ) is cheaper than buying Neutral and Positive Millet. Most of the respondents are motivated considering Shridhanya/Millet in their daily diet because millets are good sources of key proteins, fibre and vitamins. It is observed that maximum respondents always consume Shridhanya/Millet in their food. Overall the response to millets in this study is an encouraging one.
