Union Agri Minister Directs NAFED to Contribute & Promote IYoM-2023 Globally

NAFED has begun extending marketing links to Millets-centric Startups, establishing a Millet Corner in NAFED Bazaar Retail Shops, and installing Millet Vending Machines across Delhi-NCR as part of the collaboration. It is also establishing a Millets Experience Centre at Delhi Haat, INA to promote nutritious millets and raise knowledge about India's rich past through millet-based meals.

Tomar added, all Central Ministries and State Governments including prominent Food and Beverage Agencies and Industries, both Public and Private should pitch in to make IYoM-23 a 'People's Movement' alongside placing India as the "World Center for Millets."

Tomar also stated that India assumed the G20 Presidency on December 1, 2022, and that the G-20 Leaders' Summit will be held in India for the first time. He stated that the Presidency, which also coincides with the International Year of Millets, provides an excellent opportunity to highlight India's strength in the areas of food security and nutrition, where millets will play a critical role.

The inclusion of millets across all international and national events is critical to taking forward the suggested interventions as part of IYM celebrations, according to the Minister, in order to develop momentum for millet popularization and make the IM 2023 a tremendous success.

Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, told that the Centre has asked visibility of lYoM -23 at all G-20 meetings in 2023 from Ministries/Departments and State Governments. It has also requested that for ministerial level meetings, the Ministries/Departments and State Governments provide the following for a millet experience, wherever possible: millet-based hampers, millet branding-right from the airport, city side, and in the venue, millet cuisine and snacks to be included in lunch/dinner, millet stalls and café, millet rangolis, and millet literature.

According to Ahuja, the working group meetings should include one or two millet products in the hampers offered. Millet branding at the site and airport, Millets cuisine and snacks, Millet kiosks and café.

In this regard, NAFED was tasked with providing particularly curetted millet-based hampers highlighting the cultural heritage of millets, DIY millet recipes, and health and nutritional benefits of millets.

NAFED created high-quality Millet Gift Hampers, which were displayed during the G-20 1st Employment Working Group Meeting in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, hosted by the Ministry of Labour and Employment. These hampers were created to promote IYM-2023 and to show support and commitment to the promotion of millets and millet-based products.