Millets Conclave to be Inaugurated by NABARD Chairman Shaji KV on Sept 15

Shaji KV, who serves as the Chairman of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), will be delivering the opening speech at the NABARD Millets Conclave in Hyderabad on September 15.

Additionally, the event will include virtual presentations by Himanshu Pathak, Secretary (DARE) and Director-General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), and Abhishek Dev, Chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA).

The main focus of the conclave will revolve around discussions on ways to enhance the nutritional and financial well-being of all the sectors involved in millet production. India is the world's leading producer of millets, which are known for their nutritional benefits and potential to help manage diabetes.

Recognizing the importance of millets, the Indian government has urged the United Nations to designate 2023 as the Year of Millets.

The conclave will feature four key panel discussions with experts from various fields. These discussions will cover topics such as ensuring food security through millets, improving millet yields, increasing millet exports, and adding value and branding to millet products.

Devraj JP, a scientist from the National Institute of Nutrition, will present on the health and nutritional advantages of millets, followed by a conversation with Krishna Ella, Chairman of Bharat Biotech, who will discuss his role as an agriculturist.

The closing session of the conclave will feature C Tara Sathyavathi, Director of the Indian Institute of Millets Research, discussing progress in millet production and consumption.