Millets Ministerial Round Table was held today in New Delhi following the inaugural session of the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference. The meeting was attended by ministers from Guyana, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, and Zambia, as well as the Permanent Secretaries of Agriculture from Gambia and Maldives and the Director General of the Nigerian Millets Initiative. The delegates attending the meeting were welcomed by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Millets Ministerial Round Table was held today in New Delhi following the inaugural session of the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference. The meeting was attended by ministers from Guyana, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, and Zambia, as well as the Permanent Secretaries of Agriculture from Gambia and Maldives and the Director General of the Nigerian Millets Initiative. The delegates attending the meeting were welcomed by Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.
Narendra Singh Tomar highlighted India's role in Shree Anna promotion in his opening remarks at the Ministerial Round Table. India has produced millets in the range of 13.71 to 18.02 million tonnes over the last five years. Since 2018-19, the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) has been implementing a Sub-Mission on Nutri-Cereals (Millets) under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) in 212 Districts across 14 States to promote millets and meet increased demand for millets. During the export year 2022-23 (April to November), India exported 1,04,146 metric tonnes of millets worth Rs. 365.85 crores. This export will almost certainly increase post-IYM celebrations.
India has always been a pioneer in recognising values of ancient practises, in the form of food, culture and traditions, said Union Agriculture Minister. Millets, like our culture, are diverse, with names like Jowar, Bajra, Ragi, Sawan, Kangni, Cheena, Kodo, Kutki, and Kuttu. Shree Anna are high in protein, fibre, and minerals like iron and calcium, and have a low glycemic index. Many people even refer to it as a Superfood. Millets have numerous advantages, not just one. They reduce the risk of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease in addition to obesity. Malnutrition is still a threat to human health, particularly in developing and densely populated countries. Millets are also very beneficial in the fight against malnutrition because they are high in protein and energy as well.
In India, much is being done to promote millets. Along with a focus on research and innovation in production, farmer organisations, or FPOs, are being encouraged to increase aggregation, production, and processing. Tomar expressed satisfaction with the operation of many start-ups in millets with government assistance. Some are making Millet Cookies, while others are making Millet Pancakes and Dosas. Some people make Millet Energy Bars and Millet Breakfasts. The 'Mighty Millets' are the solution to the future world's food and nutritional security, farmer prosperity, and Mother Earth's revitalization.
Tomar urged world leaders to recognise this masked and forgotten super grain. The Government of India intends to make IYM 2023 a people's movement for the benefit of cultivators, consumers, and the environment. Tomar stated that he is looking forward to valuable interactions with World Food Ministers. The shared experience will be extremely beneficial in forging closer ties among major millets producing countries.
The visiting ministers from major millets producing countries shared their experiences in promoting millet production, consumption, and branding in their respective countries. Much work remains to be done to improve millet production, consumption, value addition, and processing around the world.
All leaders recognised India's leadership role in bringing millets to the global food table and looked to India for technological assistance. They were all in favour of closer cooperation among major millets producing countries. All countries wished for India to provide good seed of improved millets, as well as assistance in establishing small scale mechanisation and capacity building.
All Ministers agreed that indigenous millet crops should be promoted in their countries in order to wean people off wheat. They proposed that millets be designated as priority crops and included on the agenda of all international meetings. Some non-traditional millets-growing countries, such as Guyana, have shifted to millets cultivation as a result of the International Year of Millets. India assured these countries that it would provide all necessary knowledge, technology, and capacity building.
The meeting was attended by senior officers from the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Indian Council of Agriculture Research. The Joint Secretary (IC) expressed gratitude to the ministers and other dignitaries from millet-producing countries.
