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#agricultural‑policy4#food-processing3#industrial‑agriculture1
Government subsidies cripple millet accessibility
  • The Indian government subsidizes rice at roughly ₹2,500 per kilogram, making it artificially cheap, while millet receives no comparable support.
  • Dr. Vali notes that a kilogram of millet costs about ₹500, yet farmers receive no price guarantee, discouraging cultivation.
  • He argues this policy creates a market distortion where millets become a premium product despite being nutritionally superior.
  • The lack of subsidy also forces farmers to use costly fertilizers and pesticides on rice, further degrading soil health.
  • He calls for policy reform to provide equal subsidies for millets to restore food sovereignty.
Dr. Khadar ValiSignature Studios00:06:02

Supporting quotes

Quote
00:06:02
“బియ్యం దాదాపుగా మూడు వేల రూపాయలు ఖర్చు, మీరు కట్టేసారు అప్పుడే అందరూ కట్టేసే తింటున్నారు.” — Dr. Khadar Vali
Rice price vs millet
Quote
00:06:31
“కోర్రలు 500 రూపాయలు, బియ్యం 3000 రూపాయలు, ఇది హిడెన్ వాల్యూ.” — Dr. Khadar Vali
Cost disparity

From this concept

Industrial Food vs Traditional Grains

The conversation contrasts modern processed foods--especially rice-based products--with traditional millet consumption. Dr. Vali attributes rising chronic disease to industrial agriculture, chemical inputs, and government subsidies that favor rice over millets.

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