NEW DELHI: The ‘International Year of Millets’ has concluded, India’s Ministry of Farmers Welfare and Agriculture has announced.
The United Nations General Assembly, at its 75th session three years ago, had declared that the 12-month period until March end 2024 will be observed as the International Year of Millets.
The General Assembly adopted this declaration after India and 70 other UN members proposed an International Year of Millets.
The Indian government said in a press release that ‘the year-long celebrations successfully raised awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption, the suitability of millets for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions, and the benefits of creating sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers.’
India’s Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Farmers Welfare and Agriculture, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, represented her country at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Millets at the Food and Agriculture Orga
nisation (FAO) headquarters in Rome, said the press release.
At the ceremony, she underscored the significance of India’s thriving millet ecosystem, comprising start-ups, industries and farmers’ organisations in increasing promotion and adoption of millets.
Speaking at the ceremony, the FAO’s Director General, Dr Qu Dongyu, praised the international community for their commitment to advancing millet-related initiatives and emphasized the crucial role of millets in achieving food security and nutrition for all.
Source: Emirates News Agency