Food Grains that are Expensive in U.S. Considered as Cheap and Disdained in India

The Food Security Bill which was recently passed by the Central government is believed to be  one of the world's largest welfare schemes as it promises 5 kg of rice, wheat and coarse cereals per month to an individual at a fixed price of Rs 3, 2, 1, respectively, to nearly 67 percent of the population. This rate is less than two U.S. cents per kg at current exchange rates. But in U.S., such food grains costs a whopping sum of $10 (Rs 630) and above per kilogram.

The low supply and increasing demand for cereals like quinoa and millets from health conscious masses in the west are the main reasons behind the high prices of cereals and grains in the western countries.

The nutritional quality of such grains has been known to ancient India and Africa for millennia, long before the arrival and popularity of wheat and rice.

Though scientifically, traditional coarse grains are well known for its nutrient qualities, with the introduction of Green Revolution in India, it gave more importance to wheat and rice. Coarse grains are approved by world organizations like FAO and some nutritionists.

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