International Year of Millets (IYoM) 2023 - News

Launch of Millet exclusive Millet Marvels Restaurant at RGI Airport on 26th July 2023

Millet Marvels - a start-up incubated at Nutrihub, ICAR-IIMR; and GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd., in association with the Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR) & Nutrihub; announced the launch of the first of its kind millet exclusive Millet Marvels Restaurant in an airport, at the RGI Airport, today. The Restaurant was formally inaugurated by Dr (Mrs) C Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR and Dr B Dayakar Rao, CEO, Nutrihub. Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals; Mr SGK Kishore, Executive Director South and Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Group; Mr Pradeep Panicker, President & CEO, GMR Hyderabad International Airport (GHIAL); Ms Rishika Reddy, Executive Director, Millet Marvels and Dr Bharat Reddy, Founder & CEO, Millet Marvels, graced the occasion.

The 600 sft. outlet in the Airport premises at the arrival lounge, serves live freshly prepared delicious millet food and hot and cold beverages. It has facility for passengers to sit and dine and serves no white and super food through a cloud kitchen. It has 150 sft, capacity service area to accommodate 30 pax at a time and is manned by 45 hospitality professionals across shifts. In a month’s time another outlet of a bigger size will be opened at the Domestic departures lounge of RGI Airport.

 

Visit of Hon'ble Agricultural Minister Sh Narendra Singh Tomarji to Millet exhibition Stall on 18th July 2023, ICAR Foundation Day

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) celebrated its 95th Foundation Day today on 16 July 2023 at National Agriculture Science Complex, Pusa, New Delhi.

Shri Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Mi nister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and President of ICAR Society was the Chief Guest of the program. Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry - Dairying and Shri Kailash Choudhary, Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare also graced the occasion.

Hon'ble Agricultural Minister Sh Narendra Singh Tomarji visited Millet exhibition Stall on 18th July 2023, ICAR Foundation Day

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visit of Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson MSSRF on 13th July 2023

ICAR- Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad is very happy to receive and host Dr Soumya Swaminathan, Chairman MSSRF (M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai), today. The main purpose of the visit was to gain insight of the competencies and technologies that IIMR has developed over the period on millet value chain. Dr. Sowmya visited the fields, held discussions and enthusiastically gathered information on all the nine millet crops. The team also visited Centre of Excellence on Millets, other processing facilities, Nutrihub and Gene bank. This was followed by signing of MOU between ICAR – IIMR (Dr. C Tara Satyavathi, Director) and Dr. Sowmya, Chairperson, MSSRF on areas of mutual cooperation.

 

Dr. Soumya also interacted with Scientists of the institute and stressed that Agriculture, Nutrition and Health are related very closely which should be dealt holistically. She also emphasized that the food can form an integral part of health management and millets can play an important role in managing lifestyle diseases.

 

 

 

Curtain Raiser for India-Africa International Millet Conference, 6 July 2023 Nairobi, Kenya

 

Panel discussion on ‘Promoting Millets in Africa and India’ during Curtain Raiser for India-Africa International Millet Conference represented by Dr C Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR at Radisson Blu, Upper Hill, Nairobi

 

 

 

 

 

Technical excursion of Agricultural Ministersof G 20 nations to ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad on 17 June 2023.

The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s declared and dedicated ICAR - Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad as Global Centre of Excellence on Millets (Shree Anna). As part of the 3-day G20 meeting of Agricultural Ministers at Hyderabad, a technical excursion of Agricultural Ministers of G 20 countries was held at ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad on 17 June, 2023.

A traditional welcome for the G 20 Agricultural Ministers by folk dancers of millet growing states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh was done initially. Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Honorable Minister of State of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare - welcomed all the G 20 Agricultural Ministers with a traditional Stoll and Mala.

 The excursion included visit to demonstration plots of various millet crops. Planting of millet crops was taken up by agricultural ministers, they were briefed on the various growth stages of millets by Dr. C Tara Satyavathi, Director, IIMR.
The Ministers also visited the primary and secondary millet processing facilities, Centre of Excellence - bakery unit, flaking unit, packing units, Nutrihub –where they tasted recipes of millets, food products of G 20 nations and other international cuisines. An exhibition showcasing the strength of ICAR - Indian Institute of Millets Research as Global Centre of Excellence on R&D on Millets, millet entrepreneurs and millet science was inaugurated by Honorable Minister Sushri Shobha Karandlaje along with the G-20Agricultural Ministers.The millet entrepreneurs displayed their diverse food products. Two book entitled “International Millet Recipes” and “Milletology” were released by all the Honourable Agricultural Ministers of G 20 nations.A filmon history of millets and a film on importance of millets showcasing climate resilience, nutritional superiority, and role of IIMR in research, value addition, entrepreneurship development and promotion of millets were screened.

This mega event was graced by Agricultural Ministers of G 20 nations, invited friendly nations, Heads of International Organizations, Dr. Himanshu Pathak,Secretary, DARE and Director General of ICAR; Sh.Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW; Dr.Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary (Farmers Welfare); DKYadava, ADG [Seeds), ICAR; Ms. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary DA&FW (Crops),Sri. M Raghunandan Rao, IAS, APC and Secretary (Agriculture Cooperation Dept.)Government of Telanganaand Directors of ICAR institutes located at Hyderabad.

 

DG - ICAR unfurls 100-ft-high national flag at –ICAR-IIMR-Hyderabad and A selfie point inaugurated

Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary –DARE and Director General, ICAR unfurled the 100 feet Giant National Flag at the campus of Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad in the presence of Dr. DK Yadava, ADG (Seeds)-ICAR, other directors of ICAR institutes and Dr. Tara Satyavathi, Director, IIMR-Hyderabad on 17 June 2023 on the occasion of G 20 Nation’s Agriculture minister’stechnical excursion to the IIMR-Hyderabad as part of the 3rd Agricultural Ministers Meet of G -20 Nations.

A selfie point “I LOVE MILLETS” was launched in the campus of ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad by Dr. Himanshu Pathak, Secretary –DARE and Director General, ICAR on 17 June, 2023 in the presence of Dr. DK Yadava, ADG (Seeds)-ICAR and Dr. Tara Satyavathi, Director, IIMR-Hyderabad. Scientists and staff of IIMR participated in the launch of millet promotion campaign through “I Love Millets” selfie point.

Mission life style for Environment (life) and millets

Nehru Yuva Kendra, Ranga Reddy, District, Telangana, State, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Spots, Govt. of India, Conducted the awareness programme on “Mission life style for Environment (life) and millets” in Siddhartha Institute of Engineering and Technology, at Ibrahimpatnam, Ranga Reddy, Hyderabad on 7th June 2023. Over 300 youths are attended to this programme. Two scientist from ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR) Dr.Seva Nayak, Senior Scientist (Plant Physiologist) and Dr. A.Srinivas Scientist Senior Scale (Extension) were the chief-guests.

Dr. Seva Nayak gave an overview of International Year of Millets (IYoM)-2023, while focusing his lecture on ‘Grow the millets and Save the Environment’. It was to sensitize general gathering on millets and its advantages, health and environment. Millets are climate resilient crop, millets are C4 crops and superior crops than C3 crops, millets are nutri-cereals, millets are smart food crops. He urged the audience to pass this information to parents, friends, your village farmers and nearby your villages. Millet cultivation is good for environment it saves the water and soil, since it is grown organically and is eco-friendly. How the government policies can help farmers and all the millet stakeholders was conveyed by DrASrinivas. He detailed the schemes to promote millets in India. Apart from delivering lectures, the two scientists from ICAR showcased millet based value added products, health benefits of millets and recipes of millet delicacies in the IIMR stall. District Youth Officer Sri.T. Ishaiah explained on Mission life style for Environment.

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.