Sat May 10 14:58:22 UTC 2025: ## Kerala Launches Millet Cafes to Combat Diet-Related Diseases
**Kochi, Kerala – May 10, 2025** – The Kerala government inaugurated a new millet cafe in Kakkanad as part of a state-wide initiative to promote healthier eating habits and combat diet-related diseases. Agriculture Minister P. Prasad, speaking at the opening, highlighted that studies indicate over 56% of illnesses stem from poor dietary choices. The cafe, run by a local farmers’ group, is one of many planned across Kerala, each district receiving government support to establish such an eatery.
Minister Prasad emphasized the need to expand the range of millet-based products offered to increase public appeal. A recent visit to the National Millet Research Institute in Hyderabad showcased the diverse culinary possibilities of millets, inspiring further development in this area. The initiative aims to encourage the consumption of millets as a healthier alternative to rice, reflecting a growing awareness of healthy eating habits within the state.
The program extends beyond government-funded cafes, with local bodies, cooperatives, and groups like Kudumbashree also encouraged to open millet-based food outlets. Efforts are also underway to expand millet cultivation in areas like Attappady in Palakkad district. Thrikkakara municipal chairperson Radhamani Pillai lauded the cafe’s potential to promote healthy eating within the community.
First Piper 