ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023 Kick-starts at Kota Kasablanka Mall in South Jakarta, Indonesia

In a joint effort between the Indian Mission to ASEAN and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023 is set to captivate audiences in Indonesia from November 22 to 26. The festival kicked-off with an inaugural session at the Kota Kasablanka Mall, a prominent shopping destination in South Jakarta, featuring a Millet-centric exhibition with active participation from Millet-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), start-ups, and Indian chefs.

This initiative aligns seamlessly with the International Year of Millets (IYM) celebrations, aiming to raise awareness and create a market for millets and millet-based products among ASEAN Member states, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is spearheading a diverse delegation from India, comprising professionals deeply engaged in the Indian millet ecosystem, such as chefs, start-ups, FPO representatives, industry leaders, and state officials.

Dr. Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary at DA&FW and Head of the Indian Delegation, shared valuable insights into millet cultivation, processing, and the business potential of these ancient grains during the festival's inaugural session. Ms. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary (Crops) at DA&FW, showcased India's leading role in celebrating the International Year of Millets 2023 through a compelling video, setting the stage for insightful panel discussions. Dr. Andriko Noto Susanto, Deputy Head of BPN, emphasized the remarkable prospects of millet cultivation and its role in diversifying the South Asian food basket.

Scheduled from November 22 to 26, the exhibition aims to foster collaboration among ASEAN countries, celebrate cultural and culinary diversity, and promote sustainable millet practices for a healthier future. Among the participants are five Indian FPOs, including Citi Block FPC, Jewargi Taluka Millets FPC, Bhumitrajalalpur, Vaam Agro, and Lambasingi Tribal Products FPC, along with two start-ups, Taru Naturals and Sattva Millets and Food Products (Mibbles), showcasing unique millet-added products such as cookies, namkeen, khakhra, cakes, and more.

A highlight of the event will be the live cooking workshop from November 23 to 26, featuring celebrity chefs from India and Indonesia presenting dishes like Foxtail Millet Tabouleh, Mixed Millet Mathri Canopies, Millet Risotto, Millet Curd Rice, Ragi brownie, and cookies each day. Chefs Vinesh Johny, Risma Widyastuti, Anahita Dhondy, Sabyasachi Gorai, and Ambika Johar are set to captivate the audience with a new dish daily during this period.

The five-day festival aims to contribute to raising awareness about millets and represents a step towards implementing the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders’ Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition in Response to Crises, adopted at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta on September 7, 2023.

Ambassador of India to ASEAN, Mr. Jayant Khobragade, highlighted the crucial role of millets in addressing global hunger and nutrient deficiencies in his welcome remarks. Mr. Arief Prasetyo Adi, Head of the National Food Agency (Badan Pangan Nasional), Indonesia, underscored millets as a farmer-friendly and sustainable food choice for the future in the face of climate change.

The festival's first-panel discussion, titled 'ASEAN-India Collaboration in Millets,' moderated by Mr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani, Additional Chief Secretary & Agriculture Production Commissioner, Govt. of Assam, featured discussions among experts from diverse ASEAN nations on initiatives aimed at mainstreaming millets as part of IYM 2023.

Another engaging panel, moderated by Dr. C Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR, highlighted the inherent climate-resilient qualities of millets, benefits for small farmers, initiatives combating climate change through millet cultivation, and strategies for promoting and cultivating millets. The day concluded with a delectable Asian-themed millet-based luncheon, showcasing the versatility and nutritional value of millets.