As part of India’s preparations for celebrating the International Year of Millets in 2023, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other leaders, attended a lunch in Parliament during which millet dishes were served.
The Prime Minister stated in a tweet;
“As we prepare to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets, attended a sumptuous lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served. Good to see participation from across party lines.”
As we prepare to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets, attended a sumptuous lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served. Good to see participation from across party lines. pic.twitter.com/PjU1mQh0F3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 20, 2022
About the International Year of Millets
At its 75th session in March 2021, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). The FAO is responsible for coordinating the celebration of the Year in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. Millets can be grown on arid lands with minimal inputs and are resistant to climate change. Therefore, they are an ideal solution for countries seeking to increase self-sufficiency and reduce their dependence on imported cereal grains.
The #IYM2023 will provide a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the nutritional and health benefits of millet. As well, it will emphasize their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions. As part of the Year, we will promote the sustainable production of millets. In addition, it will emphasize their potential to provide new sustainable market opportunities for both producers and consumers.
India and International Year of Millets
The millets export promotion program also comes at the proposal of India that was supported by 72 countries which lead to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYoM) on March 5, 2021. The government is currently organizing IYoM-2023 at the domestic and international levels to popularize Indian millets as well as its value-added products across the world and make it a people’s movement.
At the first-of-its-kind Millets Conclave, the government will release an e-catalog on 30 potential importing countries and 21 millet-producing states of India. Also, a knowledge book on Millets prepared in association with Knowledge partner ‘Yes Bank’ will be released on the occasion. For exports of Indian millets promotion, the government has planned to facilitate the participation of exporters, farmers, and traders in 16 international trade expos and Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs).
As per the government’s robust strategy to promote millets, Indian missions abroad would be roped in branding and publicity of Indian millets, identification of international chefs as well as potential buyers such as departmental stores, supermarkets, and hypermarkets for organizing B2B meetings and direct tie-ups.
In addition, Ambassadors of Foreign missions in India of the targeted countries and potential importers have been invited to showcase various millet-based products, including Ready to Eat millet products and facilitate B2B meetings.
Centre has also planned to organize millet promotional activities in South Africa, Dubai, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Sydney, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America by facilitating the participation of different stakeholders from India in some of the significant food shows, Buyer Seller Meets and Road Shows.
As part of the promotion of Indian millets, APEDA has planned to showcase millets and its value-added product at various global platforms such as Gulfood 2023, Foodex, Seoul Food & Hotel Show, Saudi Agro Food, Fine Food Show in Sydney (Australia), Belgium’s Food & Beverages Show, Germany’s BioFach and Anuga Food Fair, San Francisco’s Winter Fancy Food Show, etc.
India is one of the leading producers of millet in the world with an estimated share of around 41 percent in global production. As per FAO, world production of millets in the year 2020 was 30.464 million metric tonnes (MMT) and India’s share was 12.49 MMT, which accounts for 41 percent of the total millet production. India recorded a 27 percent growth in millet production in 2021-22 as compared to millet production in the previous year was 15.92 MMT.
India’s top five millet-producing states are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. The share of export of millet is nearly 1% of the total millet production. Exports of millets from India include mainly whole grain and the export of value-added products of millets from India is negligible.