IYoM 2023: Parshottam Rupala Unveils Krishi Jagran’s ‘Special Edition on Millets’

7:07 PM - The event was concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. P.K. Pant, COO, Krishi Jagran. 

6:47 PM - B.R. Kamboj, Vice Chancellor of Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agriculture University, stated, "On behalf of HAU, I would like to congratulate Krishi Jagran on the success of this conference. In the spirit of the Year of the Millets 2023, we are focused on millet value addition at HAU. Without a question, millet is the best crop in terms of climatic resilience and nutritional advantages. Our research centers are looking for ways to improve the shelf life of millets."

6:33 PM - "Millets can supply nourishment that no other crop can, and millets are an urgent necessity in a world striving for food security. When we consider how hard we are trying to promote millets, the future seems bright," he added.

6:26 PM - Dr. Harinder K Chaudhary, Vice Chancellor, CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University said, "Finger millets, barnyard millets, porso millets and fox millets are grown in hilly areas mostly for farmers to feed themselves. We are celebrating IYoM 2023 because we have forgotten how important millet is in our culture and diet. farmers in hilly areas have knowingly and unknowingly been cultivating millets for a long time."

6:17 PM - "Along with this, we are also working towards the value-added products of this nutritious crop," he added. 

6:10 PM - Talking about what his university is doing for the advancement of millets, Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan, Vice Chancellor, of GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology said, “Millet value addition has been a focal point of discussion at GB Pant University and we are looking forward to developing new and better yielding varieties of millets."

6:02 PM - Ganesh Joshi, Minister of Soldier Welfare, Agriculture, and Rural Development, praised Krishi Jagran for a great event and added, "Millets are a boon for farmers and our government is trying to guarantee they get the highest rates in the market. Millets are very healthy and a 'poor people's grain', but thanks to the IYoM 2023, millet meals are now appearing on restaurant menus as well."

5:58 PM - He also mentioned a round table conference on millets that AARDO is conducting in March and said that AARDO will be participating in helping the advancement of technology needed to improve millet cultivation. 

5:50 PM - Talking about the IYoM 2023, Dr. Manoj Nardeosingh, Secretary General of the African Asian Rural Development Organisation said, "The very slogan of IYoM 2023 as we enter this year is 'Rich Inheritance and Full of Potential' which is indicative of the evidence found of millet being consumed even during Indus Valley Civilization and in African countries where it was domesticated very early on. Millets or as some people recall it, NutriGold have been the staple food for 6 Million people, especially in the drylands. Millet is cultivated in huge amounts in 7 countries, India, Sudan, and Nigeria being the huge contributors in millet's production."

5:47 PM - He went on to discuss the grain's health benefits, claiming that millets prevent diabetes and are healthy for the stomach. He added that millets are low-investment cereals that are ideal for small and marginal farmers to grow.

5:44 PM - Dr. Malhotra added, "Pearl millets are ingrained in our Hindu traditions, proof of which has been found in excavation sites. Millets are one of the first domesticated crops to be used as an edible grains. It is easy to grow even in dry land and they are highly resilient to climate change. We need the media industry to disseminate this knowledge among people and highlight them throughout the year to truly celebrate 2023 as the year of the millets."

5:34 PM - Dr. S.K. Malhotra, Directorate of Knowledge Management in Agriculture (DKMA), ICAR took the platform to highlight the importance and different types of Millet and how beneficial they are for our health. 

5:26 PM - Kailash Chaudhary said, "Millets, the 'mota anaaj',  are a delicacy to be enjoyed and they have been underrated for a long time now. It is high time we bring them back into the spotlight, not because of their nutritional benefits but also for the economic boost they will bring to the Indian economy. We are grateful that PM Modi initiated this project and I congratulate Krishi Jagran on successfully following in PM Modi's footsteps."

5:21 PM - Rupala also added, "Millets have some of the best recipes and I request people to incorporate millets in their diet, not just for the health benefits but also to help the farmers an economic boost. Millets are being celebrated this year internationally, and this conference has helped promote the initiative all over the world."

5:18 PM - Kailash Chaudhary joined the event virtually through Zoom.

5:15 PM - He also said, "I wanna congratulate Dominic Sir for introducing journalism to our farmers through their initiative Farmer The Journalist. Now over 900 farmers are being trained as journalists by Krishi Jagran."

5:10 PM - Parshottam Rupala, Minister of Fisheries and Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development also virtually joined the event as the chief guest. He congratulated Krishi Jagran for successfully organizing this event and unveiled the 'Special Edition on Millets' magazine and said, "Through your initiative, our nation's farmers are reaping great benefits. Our PM introduced yoga to the world and promoted health throughout the globe. Through our Prime Minister's hard work, this year is considered the Millet year. I feel overjoyed to know that Millet, the superfood of India, is being recognized in every corner of the world."

5:05 PM - The 'Special Edition on Millets' was launched. 

M.C. Dominic, Editor-in-Chief, Krishi Jagran & Agriculture World started off the event with a welcoming speech and lighting of lamps. He gave a warm welcome to the esteemed guests. 

The event was conducted in a hybrid mode with several prominent personalities participating both offline and virtually.

Several policymakers, academicians, scientists, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders participated in this event for the unveiling of the ‘Special Edition on Millets’ magazine and had a discussion on the agricultural aspects of millets and reconnected with the culture of millets in India.

In light of the United Nations' declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets to promote the Sustainable Development Goals, Krishi Jagran celebrated the millet year by unveiling the 'Special Edition on Millets' & conducting a roundtable discussion on Millets with top agri experts today at their Delhi headquarters.