Hyderabad : As Telangana pushes both nutrition security and women’s economic empowerment, the govt is setting up a network of millet cafés to bring traditional grains back to the dining table while creating entrepreneurship opportunities for women from self-help groups (SHGs).
As part of the capacity-building programme, IIMR has already trained 40 women in the first phase.
Women development and panchayat raj minister D Anasuya Seethakka said the initiative seeks to revive millet consumption, particularly among younger generations, while enabling rural women to achieve financial independence through entrepreneurship. Through these cafés, SERP aims to create awareness about their nutritional value and encourage people, especially youngsters, to adopt healthier eating habits,” said an official. Officials said women’s economic empowerment is a key pillar of the programme.
“Millets, which were once an important part of the food habits of previous generations, have gradually disappeared from the diets of many people, particularly in urban areas. The outlets will offer a diverse menu of millet-based foods, including millet cakes, biscuits, rotis, murukulus, pulihora, ragi sankati, ragi java, millet upma and millet khichdi. By blending traditional recipes with contemporary food offerings, the initiative seeks to make millet-based diets both appealing and accessible to a wider consumer base. SERP, which works with rural women from economically weaker sections, is encouraging self-help groups to tap business opportunities in the food and beverage sector.