The Maharashtra government formed a 14-member committee on Friday, led by the Additional Chief Secretary (Cooperation and Marketing), to develop an action plan for various programmes and their implementation in the state to commemorate the International Year of Nutritious Cereals 2023.
The United Nations declared 2023 the International Year of Millets at the request of the Government of India, with the goal of raising awareness and increasing production, and consumption of millets.
On Friday, the Department of Cooperation and Marketing issued a Government Resolution (GR) signed by Under-Secretary Sunanda Ghadyale. According to the GR, the expert committee will finalize the action plan's objectives.
It will release a booklet, 'Know Your Millets' (both major and minor cereals), in collaboration with the Agriculture Department, with information on health benefits, plantation methods, seed availability, harvesting and post-harvesting processes, primary processing, and value addition.
The committee's mandate also includes the creation of campaign materials as well as the use of social media platforms to spread and publicise the benefits of millets. Furthermore, the committee will be required to post various millet recipes on YouTube.
In its report published in August 2022, the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development recommended expanding the country's millet production base and introducing varietal improvement to boost productivity and profitability. According to the report, millet growers should be rewarded with cash and other incentives.
Maharashtra's action followed the formation of a core committee and the launch of a consultation on how to promote production and supply by the Union Agriculture Ministry. Meetings were held with representatives from various states, as well as processors, chefs/nutritionists, and farmers.
The Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) has been designated as the nodal institute in charge of overseeing all policies, activities, and communication. Six task forces have been formed by the ministry to ensure on-the-ground implementation.
