In an effort to promote the importance of millets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi. This two-day conference focuses on all aspects of millets, including promotion, awareness, value chain development, health and nutrition, market linkages, and research and development.
International Leaders Congratulate India for Organizing Global Millets Conference
International leaders congratulated India for organizing this important event, highlighting the significance of millets in ensuring food security and achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Prime Minister unveiled a Commemorative Stamp and Coin, launched a compendium of Indian Millet (Shri Anna) startups, and a book of millet (Shri Anna) standards. He also declared the Indian Institute of Millets Research of ICAR as a Global Centre of Excellence.
India’s Responsibility towards Global Good
In his address, PM Modi emphasized the importance of events like the Global Millets Conference in promoting the global good and showcasing India’s responsibilities towards it. He reminded the audience that the year 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets by the United Nations after persistent efforts by India and that this campaign was a significant step towards achieving the same.
Active Participation from Gram Panchayat, Krishi Kendras, Schools, and Universities
The conference includes brainstorming sessions on various topics related to millets with active participation from Gram Panchayat, Krishi Kendras, schools, colleges, and agricultural universities, along with Indian embassies and several foreign countries. More than 75 lakh farmers are virtually connected to this program.
Indian Institute of Millets Research of ICAR Declared Global Centre of Excellence
The Prime Minister declared the Indian Institute of Millets Research of ICAR as a Global Centre of Excellence. He encouraged delegates to visit the exhibition at the venue and understand all the dimensions related to millet farming under one roof. He appreciated the youth’s initiative to bring startups for millet-related enterprises and farming, indicating India’s commitment to millets.
Shree Anna – A Medium of Holistic Development in India
PM Modi elaborated on India’s branding initiatives for millets as India now calls millets – Shree Anna. He said, “Shree Anna is becoming a medium of holistic development in India, linked with Gaon as well as Garib (village and the poor). Shree Anna is a door to prosperity for small farmers of the country, a cornerstone of nutrition for crores of countrymen, felicitation of the Adivasi Community, a big foundation for chemical-free farming, and a huge help in fighting climate change.”
Millets: A Solution for Food Security and Sustainable Development Goals
The Prime Minister also emphasized the importance of turning a resolution into a desirable outcome and highlighted that the Millets Mission will prove to be a boon for 2.5 crore millet-producing farmers of the country. At-home consumption of millets per person per month has increased to 14 kilograms from 3 kilograms. Millets bring endless possibilities and may provide solutions to the problem of food security as well as of food habits.
India’s Commitment to Millets and Shree Anna
India’s commitment to millets and Shree Anna are part of a larger movement towards holistic development, which focuses on improving not just the economic wellbeing of people, but also their social and environmental wellbeing. Millets are a great example of this because they are not only highly nutritious and environmentally sustainable, but they also support small-scale farmers and promote biodiversity.
The Global Millets Conference is an essential event for promoting and highlighting the importance of millets in ensuring food security and achieving SDGs. The Prime Minister’s address, the unveiling of the Commemorative Stamp and Coin, and the declaration of the Indian Institute of Millets Research of ICAR as a Global Centre of Excellence is a significant step in promoting the cause of millets. The Millets Mission will prove to be a boon for 2.5 crore millet-producing farmers of the country, and millets bring endless possibilities to address the problem of food security and food habits.
Related Items
WHO declares Mpox a Global Health Emergency. Here is why
Centre to launch an 'Integrative Health policy' to make every citizen healthy
9th World Ayurveda Congress - Ayurveda For One Health