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NDTV
01-07-2025
- Health
- NDTV
Cheaper Than Quinoa, Just As Healthy: 6 Budget-Friendly Options
Quinoa has rightfully earned its "superfood" status. This grain is a complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids, along with a hefty dose of fibre, iron, magnesium, and antioxidants, offering a formidable nutritional punch. However, its rising popularity has often come with a premium price tag in India, making it less accessible for budget-conscious consumers. The good news is, you don't need to break the bank to reap similar health benefits. A wealth of traditional and often overlooked grains offers comparable nutritional profiles at a fraction of the cost. Let's explore some fantastic and affordable alternatives to quinoa that can fuel your diet without deflating your wallet. Also Read: 5 Ancient Superfoods That Made A Comeback In Healthy Modern Diets With A Bang What Is A Good Substitute For Quinoa? Here Are 6 Alternatives With Similar Health Benefits: 1. Amaranth Much like quinoa, amaranth is a pseudo-cereal, a seed cooked and eaten like a grain. Hailing from the same region of South America, it boasts an impressive nutritional profile. Amaranth often surpasses quinoa in protein content, with some varieties offering more iron and other essential minerals. It's naturally gluten-free and has a slightly nutty, earthy flavour, making it incredibly versatile. You can pop it like popcorn, cook it into a creamy porridge, or use its flour in gluten-free baking. Its affordability and comparable nutrient density make it a top contender for a quinoa swap. Amaranth is best used to make ladoo during Navratri. Photo Credit: iStock 2. Millets: India has long embraced a diverse range of millets, and these humble grains are finally gaining global recognition for their incredible nutritional value and sustainable cultivation. Varieties like Jowar (Sorghum), Bajra (Pearl Millet), and Ragi (Finger Millet) are packed with fibre, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and iron. Also Read: From Kuttu Dosa To Ragi Laddoo: 5 Must-Try Millet Recipes For Lunch Sorghum (Jowar): This gluten-free grain often provides a higher protein content than quinoa and boasts double the fibre. Its mild, slightly sweet flavour makes it an easy substitute in most dishes. It's also rich in B vitamins, essential for metabolism. Pearl Millet (Bajra): A hardy and widely available millet, Bajra is an excellent source of fibre, magnesium, and antioxidants. While it may have a slightly different amino acid profile than quinoa (lacking lysine), its overall nutritional value and accessibility make it a fantastic and inexpensive alternative, particularly for those looking to manage blood sugar. Finger Millet (Ragi): Ragi stands out for its exceptionally high calcium content, making it a boon for bone health. It's also rich in fibre and other micronutrients, commonly used in porridges, flatbreads, and baked goods. Click here for our best ragi recipes. Millets are not only nutritious but also remarkably drought-resistant and require less water to grow than many other grains, making them an environmentally conscious choice. 3. Buckwheat Despite its name, buckwheat is not related to wheat and is, in fact, a gluten-free pseudo-cereal. It's a rich source of antioxidants, magnesium, copper, and manganese. With a robust, earthy flavour, buckwheat groats (kasha) can be enjoyed as a side dish, in salads, or as a hearty breakfast cereal. Its soluble fibre content can also aid in managing blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. 4. Barley For those who don't require a gluten-free diet, barley is an exceptionally nutritious and economical choice. Whole grain barley (not "pearled" barley, which has had some bran removed) is loaded with dietary fibre, including beta-glucans known for their cholesterol-lowering and immune-boosting properties. Its chewy texture and nutty flavour make it a wonderful addition to soups, stews, and grain bowls. Try these barley recipes. Barley has been used for a long time to enrich our diets. Image Credit: iStock Have A Variety Of These Grains For Optimal Health While quinoa offers an undeniable nutritional advantage, these more affordable alternatives demonstrate that healthy eating doesn't have to be expensive. So, next time you're at the grocery store, consider stepping beyond quinoa and exploring the rich world of ancient and traditional grains. (Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information. NDTV does not claim responsibility for this information.) Advertisement About Neha Grover Love for reading roused her writing instincts. Neha is guilty of having a deep-set fixation with anything caffeinated. When she is not pouring out her nest of thoughts onto the screen, you can see her reading while sipping on coffee. For the latest food news, health tips and recipes, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and YouTube. Tags: Quinoa Superfood Alternatives Show full article Comments
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Farmers face seed price rise and fertiliser shortage before Kharif sowing
Jaipur: Ahead of the sowing of the Kharif crop, farmers in Rajasthan are grappling with a shortage of DAP (Diammonium Phosphate), a widely used fertiliser, and an increase in the prices of seeds. While the state's agriculture minister, Kirori Lal Meena, admitted that the state obtained 90,000 metric tons of DAP against the demand of 2 lakh metric tons, he said that some traders are also engaged in hoarding. Following raids on fake seeds, the prices of seeds, including those of Bajra and Guar, have increased. "The prices of Bajra were Rs 650 per packet and have now increased to Rs 720 per packet. Also, Guar, which was available at Rs 270 is now being sold at Rs 320 per packet. DAP is not available anywhere," said Ram Singh, a farmer from Takrada village near Chomu. Farmers said that in the name of selling genuine seeds, they are being overcharged. "At Sriganganagar, the traders are selling DAP to Punjab at higher prices, and authorities are taking no action," alleged Amar Singh, a farmer from Sriganganagar. When contacted, Kirori Lal Meena, agriculture minister, said, "I am aware of DAP shortage and the fact that many traders are hoarding DAP. Let me repeat that I am not going to let anyone hoard DAP and will ensure its availability to the farmers.: "I have also sought chief minister's intervention to urge the govt to release more DAP since we got 90,000 metric tons against our demand of 2 lakh metric tons," Meena added. Farmers in Sriganganagar said that due to the prevailing problem of less irrigation water, higher prices of seeds, and the non-availability of DAP and other fertilisers, sowing has been limited to only 40% in Sriganganagar. "The authorities should organise more raids at the godowns where traders are hoarding DAP. Also, there should be a check on the prices of seeds and pesticides," said Tejinder Singh, a farmer from Srikaranpur in the Sriganganagar district.
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Business Standard
30-04-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Time to break-free from paddy for sustainable agriculture in India
The Indian agriculture sector is at a crucial juncture. Intensive paddy cultivation has been the cornerstone of the sector for decades now, providing livelihoods for millions of people. However, this practice now poses a significant roadblock in India's journey towards sustainability. As per the latest estimate of 2023-24, paddy cultivation in India occupies an area of 47.82 million hectares (Mha), accounting for 36 per cent of the total area under foodgrain production. It is projected that if the resource-intensive methods and the intensity of paddy production remain unchanged, then methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from paddy cultivation could increase by 35–60 per cent, by 2030. This can be accredited to over-irrigation of paddy fields, over-application of fertilizers, and paddy residue burning. This acts as a reminder for Indian agriculture to rethink its agricultural practices in its pursuit of sustainability. Especially, the agrarian states of Punjab and Haryana should decrease their reliance on paddy production as they have a low contribution to the national pool of food grains at 8.8 per cent from Punjab and 3.8 per cent from Haryana. So, even if the two states discontinue paddy cultivation, food security would not be threatened as other states can expand their paddy production. Studies suggest that the central and eastern states of India such as Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar can intensify paddy production given their natural endowments of land and water resources. Additionally, the dwindling agricultural growth rates in Punjab (1.4 per cent) and Haryana (4.1 per cent) in the past five years reaffirm the need to break free from paddy for a sustainable future. The government already offers a higher minimum support price (MSP) for millets like Bajra and Jowar compared to paddy, and the cost of producing millets is lower, yet most farmers resort to paddy production. This underscores the need for a paradigm shift in traditional agricultural practices and the mindset of the farmers such that the prospect of millet cultivation shines brighter than paddy cultivation. Financial incentives can play a pivotal role in driving this change. Either the current government expenditure on paddy production and procurement can be repurposed or new incentives can be created for millet production. The suggested change in agricultural practices could also ease the fiscal burden of the central and state governments of India as their expenditure on the production and procurement of paddy would reduce. In line with it, in 2024, Punjab and Haryana offered a cash incentive of Rs 17,500/ha to paddy farmers to switch from paddy cultivation to an alternative less resource-intensive crop such as millets. As per the latest estimates, the gross profit earned by the farmers of Punjab (Rs 53,479/ha) and Haryana (Rs 30,048/ha) from producing paddy exceeded the cash incentives offered for not producing it. Therefore, as of now, the cash incentives offered to move away from paddy production are insufficient to incentivise the switch to millet production. In addition, as most farmers are sensitive to yield and income fluctuations, they are resistant to changing their agricultural practices, at least initially. This calls for an overhaul of the incentive mechanism such that it adequately incentivizes the paddy farmers to change their practices for the benefit of the environment, without compromising the economic welfare of the farmers and food security of the country. Some studies further suggest that the incentive amount should be doubled to Rs 35,000/ha, on a 50:50 sharing basis between the centre and the state government. However, to arrive at an adequate amount of cash incentive that can effectively nudge farmers to pivot away from paddy production, the government should account for its expenditure on the production and procurement of paddy. Specifically, the fiscal subsidies offered on agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, power, and irrigation along with the expenditure incurred by the Food Corporation of India for the assured procurement of paddy at its MSP should be considered. The estimated amount can then be repurposed and offered to farmers to hedge the market risk of producing millet while ensuring environmental sustainability in the agriculture sector. For instance, as of 2023-24, the central and state governments of Punjab and Haryana spend a significant amount to support paddy production and its assured procurement. Specifically, the government spends Rs 1,55,004/ha in Punjab and Rs 83,836/ha in Haryana. This expenditure is almost three times the gross profit that paddy farmers earn. To facilitate the paddy farmers of the two states to move away from paddy production, a fund can be created to disburse upfront cash incentives to them via a direct benefit transfer (DBT) system for not growing paddy in their fields. Alternatively, the farmers could either cultivate more environmentally sustainable crops such as Bajra and Jowar or keep the land fallow. The central and state governments can jointly participate in this initiative and provide cash incentives that are at least as much as the gross profit earned by the paddy farmers of both states. So, a cash incentive of Rs 53,479/ha would be reasonable. The suggested cash incentive would make the paddy farmers of Haryana better off and neutralize the paddy farmers of Punjab. This could further enable a doubling of their income within a couple of cropping seasons. Meanwhile, the government expenditure on production subsidies and paddy procurement would be slashed to half the original amount. Therefore, if the area, production, and yield of paddy are assumed to remain as they are in 2023-24, the government would be able to save over Rs 6 lakh crore in Punjab and Haryana, over the next decade. This further indicates the self-financing nature of the outlined incentive structure. The savings on government expenditure currently earmarked for paddy production and procurement in Punjab and Haryana can then be reinvested to establish a price stabilisation fund for millet, build infrastructure to facilitate its higher exports and promote environmental restoration. Imagine a scenario where farmers, the government, and the economy all benefit simultaneously, because of a well-designed incentive structure that encourages farmers to shift from paddy to millet production. The provision of cash incentives via a DBT system promises such a win-win situation. Such an incentive mechanism would not only encourage the farmers to break free from paddy cultivation and achieve agricultural sustainability but will also pave the way for financial growth of the farmers. Moreover, similar incentive structures could be adopted to invigorate the production of other crops such as maize, pulses, and oilseeds that are less resource-intensive but more economically lucrative than paddy.
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
5 Desi millet recipes that are perfect for summers
The scorching heat often takes a toll on the appetite and gradually leads to reduced intake of nutrients. While the summer season calls for extra nutrition, a poor diet may leave you drained, and this is why a healthy diet is necessary to sustain the harsh weather. Well, a simple solution to this is to fall back to the basics, and what can be better than gorging on some delicious millet recipes ? Here are some simple, summer-friendly recipes that are worth trying. Why millets in summer? Millets, also known as mota anaj, are one of the most ancient staples of India. However, with growing inclination towards health and well-being, there has been a demand for these grains across the world. Loaded with the goodness of nutrients, millets make for a great addition to the summer diet. Another major reason why adding millet to the summer diet is a great idea. Here are five easy and wholesome millet recipes that are perfect for summers. Read on to find out… by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo Ragi Ambli Ragi Ambli is a staple in Karnataka and parts of Andhra Pradesh, Ragi Ambli is a nourishing summer drink made from finger millet and buttermilk. To prepare, ragi flour is first mixed with water and gently cooked into a thin porridge. Once it cools, it's blended with buttermilk, seasoned with salt, cumin powder, and sometimes curry leaves or green chilli. This drink is excellent for gut health, hydration, and energy, making it a natural cooler during intense heat. Bajra Khichdi While bajra is often associated with winter due to its warming potency but if you are looking for a light meal, then this khichadi served with curd is a perfect treat for the summer season. Soak bajra overnight to reduce its heaviness, then cook it with moong dal, a bit of turmeric, and cumin. Finish with a tadka of ghee and asafoetida. Served with a bowl of curd, this dish becomes a cooling, filling, and protein-rich meal for lunch or dinner. Jowar Dosa Jowar dosa is light, crisp, and naturally gluten-free. To make it, mix jowar flour with rice flour, a bit of curd, water, chopped onions, green chillies, and coriander. Allow it to rest and then cook like a regular dosa. It's a quick, summer-friendly breakfast or snack, especially when paired with mint chutney or coconut chutney, which further add a cooling effect. Kangni Dalia Foxtail millet, or kangni, is ideal for summer porridges. A simple sweet or savory dalia can be made using this grain. For the savory version, cook foxtail millet with chopped vegetables, ginger, green chilli, and curry leaves. For a sweet version, cook it with milk (or coconut milk), jaggery, and cardamom. Foxtail millet is light and alkaline in nature, aiding digestion and soothing the stomach, especially when served slightly warm or at room temperature. Samak Chawal Pulao Traditionally used during fasting days, samak chawal (barnyard millet) is one of the best grains to consume during hot weather. It's non-acidic, cooling, and easy to digest. For a summer pulao, cook samak with seasonal vegetables like bottle gourd, carrot, or green beans, and mild spices like jeera and green chilli. Finish with lemon juice and coriander. This dish is light yet satisfying, making it a great choice for lunch during peak summer.
