International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023 - News

Songs on Millet Awareness and its Importance

Telugu Songs in collaboration with ANGRAU Guntur and ICAR-IIMR
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Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference, New Delhi

Sh. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in New Delhi at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi on 18 March, 2023 at 11 AM.

Based on India’s proposal, the year 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The ‘International Year of Millets’ stands to provide a unique opportunity to increase global production, ensure efficient processing and consumption, promote better utilization of crop rotations and encourage better connectivity throughout food systems to promote millets as a key component of the food basket. The organization of Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in India is an important programme in this context.

In his address the Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi stated that India aims to make IYoM 2023 a people's movement for the overall benefit of the cultivator, consumer and climate. The Global Millets conference objective is to elevate awareness of Shree Anna (Nutri-cereals / millets) for food security and nutrition, enhance investment in R&D and extension, and inspire stakeholders towards improving production, productivity and quality of millets with the intention of position India as the ‘Global hub for millets’.

During this programme, the Prime Minister announced that ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad as the “Global Centre on Excellence on Millets”. He also unveiled a customized postal stamp as well as a commemorative Rs. 75 currency coin to mark the 'International Year of Millets' being celebrated in 2023. A video on millets, which the government named 'Shree Anna', was also released during the event. Besides this, video messages from the Heads of State of Ethiopia and Guyana were also played during the inaugural ceremony.

Sh. Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister and his counterparts from six countries were present at the event. Sh. Tomar briefed about the importance of millets and stated that the year 2023 will witness a year-long campaign and several activities nationally and globally for increased adoption and promotion of millets. A roundtable session of agriculture ministers as well as bilateral meetings were convened.

The two-day global conference had various sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna) like promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders; millets’ value chain development; health and nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages and research and development. Various technical sessions were jointly organized by ICAR-IIMR-Hyderabad, and ICAR-IARI-New Delhi. The overall programme was organized by APEDA.

The conference was largely attended by Agriculture Ministers of various countries, international scientists, farmers, nutritionists, health experts, start-ups, exporters, retail businesses, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmers Self-Help Groups, schools, Agri-Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendra’s (KVKs), Gram Panchayats, Common Service Centres (CSC), Cooperative Institutions and other stakeholders.

The two-day conference also witnessed participation from dignitaries such as Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Director General, Indian Council of Agriculture (ICAR), Dr. Jaquelene Hughes, Director General, ICRISAT; Jong-Jin Kim, ADG & Regional Representative for Asia and Pacific, FAO; DDGs and ADGs from ICAR, New Delhi, Dr. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR- Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, Chef Thomas Gugler, President, World Association of Chefs, etc., alongside an esteemed audience of Padma Awardee farmers.

भाकृअनुप – भारतीय श्रीअन्न (मिलेट) अनुसंधान संस्थान, हैदराबाद केद्वारा श्रीअन्न पदयात्रा (मिलेट वॉकथॉन)

भाकृअनुप – भारतीय श्रीअन्न (मिलेट) अनुसंधान संस्थान, हैदराबाद के द्वारा अंतर्राष्ट्रीय श्रीअन्न (मिलेट) वर्ष 2023 की सफलता की ओर बढ़ते हुएआज शुक्रवार, 03 मार्च, 2023 को श्रीअन्न पदयात्राका आयोजन किया गया।श्रीअन्न पदयात्रा के शुभारंभ स्थल अर्थात प्रोफेसर जयशंकर तेलंगाना राज्य कृषि विश्वविद्यालय के प्रेक्षागृह (ऑडिटोरियम) में मंच पर डॉ. (श्रीमती) सी तारा सत्यवती, निदेशक, भाश्रीअनुसं, डॉ. बी दयाकर राव, प्रधान वैज्ञानिक एवं मुख्य कार्यपालक अधिकारी, न्यूट्रीहब, डॉ. सत्यनारायण, डीन, प्रोजतेराकृविवि तथा श्री जी वी सुब्बारेड्डी, कोरोमंडल फर्टलाइजर्स उपस्थित थे। कार्यक्रम के प्रारंभ में डॉ. सत्यनारायण ने मंच पर एवं सभा में उपस्थित लोगों का स्वागत किया। तत्पश्चात डॉ. दयाकर राव ने अपने संबोधन में श्रीअन्न को अपने भोजन में शामिल करने का आग्रह किया। डॉ. तारा सत्यवती ने अपने संबोधन में श्रीअन्न के महत्व पर प्रकाश डालते हुए श्रीअन्न में शामिल ज्वार, बाजरा, रागी आदि अनाजों की विविध पोषण विशेषताओं का विश्लेषण करते हुए, उन्हें अपनाने के लिए कहा। श्री सुब्बा रेड्डी ने भी वर्तमान समय में श्रीअन्न की उपयोगिता पर प्रकाश डाला। इसके पश्चात डॉ. तारा सत्यवती के द्वारा झंडा दिखाकर श्रीअन्न पदयात्रा का शुभारंभ किया गया।

श्री अन्न पदयात्राप्रो.ज.ते.रा.कृ.विवि. से शुरु हुई तथा श्रीअन्न के गुणों के प्रति लोगों को जागरूक करने हेतु पदयात्रा के दौरान उच्चाधिकारियों एवं अन्य सहभागियों के द्वारा श्रीअन्न के गुणों को प्रदर्शित करते हुए बैनरों, पोस्टरों आदि का प्रदर्शन किया गया। कुल3 किलोमीटर की पदयात्रा के बाद भाकृअनुप – भारतीय श्रीअन्न (मिलेट) अनुसंधान संस्थान में इसका समापन हुआ। समापन सभा में मंच पर डॉ. तारा सत्यवती, डॉ. दयाकर राव के अलावा समीपस्थ संस्थानों की वरिष्ठ प्रतिनिधि उपस्थित थे एवं सभी अधिकारीगण ने श्रीअन्न के महत्व पर प्रकाश डाला एवं जीवनशैली संबंधी रोगों से बचने हेतु श्रीअन्न को अपने दैनिक आहार में सम्मिलित करने की सलाह दी।डॉ. सत्यवती एवं डॉ. दयाकर राव ने इस समारोह को सफल बनाने हेतु अपने समीपस्थ सभी संस्थानों, विशेषकर प्रोफेसर जयशंकर तेलंगाना राज्य कृषि विश्वविद्लाय के प्रति आभार प्रकट किया। श्रीअन्न पदयात्रा में भाश्रीअनुसं एवं प्रोजतेराकृविवि के अलावा अन्य समीपस्थ संस्थान के पदाधिकारीगण शामिल 1000 से ज्यादा लोगों ने भाग लिया। पदयात्रा के समापन स्थल पर सभी लोगों को सर्वश्री ‘नया मिलेट’ के द्वारा श्रीअन्न के विविध व्यंजन प्रदान किए गए।

इस संपूर्ण कार्यक्रम का समन्वय डॉ. सी (श्रीमती) तारा सत्यवती, निदेशक के मार्गदर्शन में, डॉ. बी दयाकर राव, प्रधान वैज्ञानिक एवं मुख्य कार्यपालक अधिकारी, पोषण केंद्र, डॉ महेश कुमार, सहायक मुख्य तकनीकी अधिकारी (राजभाषा) तथा डॉ. वी रवि कुमार, तकनीकी अधिकारी, भाश्रीअनुसं, हैदराबाद के द्वारा किया गया।

International Trainees visit Millets FPOs promoted by ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad

Twenty-seven (27) participants representing 17 countries visited Hulsoor Mahila Kisan Millets Producer Company, Hulsoor, & Gram Vishwas FPOs of Bidar district of Karnataka on 22nd February 2023. The Farmers Producer Organization (FPO) promoted by ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad under the central Sector scheme, implemented through Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium (SFAC), New Delhi. The exposure visit was organized as a part of the International Training Program on "Issues and Challenges in the Promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)" which is being organized under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program- an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India during 13-27 February 2023 at National Institute of Agricultural Extension Management (MANAGE), Hyderabad.

The international executives represented Niger, Sudan, South Sudan, Uganda, Nepal, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Tanzania, Uzbekistan, Mozambique, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Ethiopia, South Africa, and Zambia. During their visit, executives interacted with millets BoDs, farmers, processors, and consumers about millets utilization and promotion. Addressing on this occasion, Dr. K. C. Gummagolmath, Director, MANAGE briefed the importance of ITEC program for establishing mutual concern and cooperation with different countries. Dr. C. Tara Sathyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad ushered the activities planned by the institute to celebrate the International Year of Millets 2023. In his welcome address, Dr. Sangappa, Scientist & Project PI of FPOs, mentioned the activities of Millets FPOs in enhancing the income of women farmers and gave an overview of Millets. The millet snacks like Finger Millet Laddus, Sorghum Murukhu, Sorghum Huruda were tested by international executives and prepared by Mr. Ashok Sajjan, Mr. Kailash Korishetty, Ms. Ujjawla. Local representatives, administrators, farmers, agricultural officers, and media persons were present during this international exposure visit.

Millet Luncheon with the Ambassadors/ High Commissioners

As a pre-launch to India’s year-long grand celebration of ‘International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023’, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) hosted a special ‘millet luncheon’ with the Ambassadors/High Commissioners of different countries appointed to India, at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, in New Delhi on 24th November 2022. Around 60 high commissioners and ambassadors to India were present at the official luncheon. The Secretary, DA&FW, Mr Manoj Ahuja reemphasized the importance of the International Year of Millets to India. Mr Secretary stressed the advantages of millets for the environment, economy, and health.

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Govt of India stated that the International Year of Millets will offer a special opportunity to boost global production, guarantee adequate processing and consumption and thus promoting millets globally. Dr S Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister for External Affairs called for a concerted international campaign to promote millets to address the problem of global food security. He later asked the ambassadors present at the ceremony to work together and support in increasing the impact of IYoM 2023, internationally, as the Government of India and the Indian Embassies abroad take the lead in commemorating the IYoM 2023.

Highlights of the event

• Further, an elaborately arranged millet buffet was offered for lunch in order to illustrate the diversity of Indian millets and the range of millet cuisines. Along with the formal dialogue and culinary exploration of millet, over 35 Indian start-ups related to millet participated in an exposition at the event location to display a variety of food products, including ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook millet foods.
• About 30 Millet based start-ups from different parts of the country supported by Nutrihub, ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad participated in an exhibition at the event venue and showcased various food products, including ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook millet items of millets.
• ICAR – IIMR, Hyderabad had put up the stall at exhibition to showcase the several value-added technologies developed and commercialized. A display of samples for the ambassadors to taste and experience the fine millet products developed by ICAR-IIMR under brand ‘eatrite’.
• Dr S Jaishankar, Hon’ble Minister for External Affairs, Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Smt Meenakshi Lekhi Hon’ble MoS for External Affairs, and Sushree Shobha Karandlaje, Hon’ble MoS for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare visited our stall and tasted jowar puffs, ragi muffins and premium jowar almond cookies made available for the people to taste. Ambassadors of several countries visited our stall to taste millet products developed by ICAR-IIMR.
• Senior officials at the ministry such as Dr Ashok Dalwai, IAS CEO NRAA, Shri Manoj Ahuja, Secretary DA&FW, Smt Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary, DA&FW including Dr CV Ratnavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR and Dr B Dayakar Rao, CEO Nutrihub and PS ICAR-IIMR participated in the event which was a grand success.