Punjab Millet Farmer Expands Export and Domestic Market for Health-Conscious Consumers

Strategic Insights -

Dilpreet Singh, a millet farmer from Sangrur in Punjab, has successfully exported nine types of millets to Australia last year. Building on this achievement, he is now targeting the health-conscious Punjabi diaspora in Canada with a new consignment of ready-to-eat millets. This expansion is fueled by online visibility and positive word-of-mouth, as well as catering to a growing local market of individuals and millet-biscuit factories. Dilpreet has established a chemical-free approach to millet cultivation, handling primary and secondary processing, including international-quality packaging, within his own unit.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dilpreet Singh, a millet farmer from Rajpura village in Sangrur, Punjab, has successfully exported nine types of millets to Australia last year, shipping 14.3 tonnes of millets.
  • He is now targeting the health-conscious Punjabi diaspora in Canada with a new consignment of ready-to-eat millets, which will be shipped next week.
  • Dilpreet has established a chemical-free approach to millet cultivation, handling primary and secondary processing, including international-quality packaging, within his own unit.
  • He has created a customised steaming plant on his farm to meet the stringent Australian "nil germination" requirement.
  • Dilpreet sources millets from Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) in Orissa, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, in addition to those grown on his 14-acre farm.
  • He has developed a value-added product by pre-soaking, dehydrating, and dehusking his millets, extending their shelf life to two years compared to the typical three months.
  • The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations recognised 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) to raise awareness about the health, nutritional, and environmental benefits of millets.
  • Despite the state government's support for millet cultivation, Dilpreet lamented that Markfed could do more in supporting millet cultivation by integrating millets into their Sohna product line.

Statistics:

  • 14.3 tonnes of millets shipped to Australia last year
  • 14-acre farm of Dilpreet Singh
  • Two years shelf life of value-added millets
  • Three months shelf life of regular millets
  • $USD [amount] value of exports to Canada (not specified in the article)
  • 2023 recognised as the International Year of Millets (IYM2023) by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the United Nations

Sources:

  • Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)
  • United Nations
  • Dilpreet Singh, millet farmer from Rajpura village in Sangrur, Punjab