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NEW YORK, 7th January (PTI) V Muraleedharan, Minister of State for External Affairs, said the International Year of Millet is an important step in recognizing the valuable nutritional and health benefits of millet and the importance of these grains to food security and sustainability.
The year 2023 was designated as the “International Year of Millet” after it was proposed by India and endorsed by members of the governing body of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as well as at the 75th Session of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. United Nations General Assembly.
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“Through education, research and outreach, we can ensure that millet gets the recognition it deserves and help improve food security and sustainable development around the world,” Muraleedharan said Friday at the virtual launch of the ‘Iconic Week on Millets Magic’ organized by Magic Millet. develop,”
Millet is more resilient than other grains and cereals, making it a more reliable crop in the face of climate change and unpredictable weather, Muraleedharan said.
“This makes them an excellent choice for farmers looking to maximize yield and income. Finally, millets are an affordable and easily accessible food source,” he said.
He noted that the International Year of Millet is an important step in recognizing the valuable nutritional and health benefits of millet and the importance of these grains to food security and sustainability.
“Programs like Magic Millets – 2023 are force multipliers for the ongoing efforts of the United Nations, FAO and the Government of India to bring millet back into our lives,” said Muraleedharan.
The government announced on Jan. 1 that it had arranged a series of Xiaomi-centric promotions across the country as the International Year of Xiaomi (IYM) approaches.
Millet was one of the first domesticated crops in India, and there is several evidence that it was eaten during the Indus Valley Civilization. Currently grown in more than 130 countries, millet is considered a traditional food for more than 500 million people in Asia and Africa.
“Our aim should be to make the International Year of Millets a national movement, a real jan-andolan. And this is where the role of community organizations and NGOs like Jaipur Foot and Lok Samvad Sansthan becomes crucial ,” Muraleedharan said.
“By working together, we can ensure that millet reemerges as a staple of food culture in India and around the world,” he said.
Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal said the Indian Consulate will organize a series of events throughout 2023 to mark the International Year and seek active participation from the diaspora to make the festival a success.
Jaiswal said promoting millet is a “win-win” for all, claiming that millet benefits health, the planet, the environment, achieving sustainable development goals, small and marginal farmers, and enhancing people’s food and nutrition security.
He noted that over the past few years, India has introduced International Day of Non-Violence, International Yoga Day and International Millet Day to the international community through the United Nations.
These celebrations have a deeper meaning, Jaiswal said, which is India’s message to the world: well-being and peace for all.
In India, millet is primarily a Kharif crop that requires less water and agricultural inputs than other similar staples. Millets are important because of their enormous potential to create livelihoods, increase farmers’ incomes and ensure food and nutrition security worldwide.
Xiaomi is also an integral part of the G-20 meeting, where delegates will get a real Xiaomi experience through tastings, meetings with farmers and interactive sessions with start-ups and FPOs.
Jaipur Foot USA Chairman Prem Bhandari, who launched the virtual celebration, praised India’s G20 Presidency Chief Coordinator Harsh Vardhan Shringla for including a millet dish in all G20 meals.
Bhandari said Jaipur Foot, along with all the organizations, will be organizing several events this year jointly with the Indian Consulate General in New York to promote and spread awareness about Xiaomi.
After declaring International Yoga Day to the world through the United Nations, India has now given a year to celebrate Xiaomi globally, he said.
Appreciating Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiative, he said, “India will be Vishwa Guru and will show the world the way.”
Social activist and secretary-general Magic Millet Kalyan Singh Kothari also addressed the virtual conference.
On 6 December, the United Nations agency Food and Agriculture Organization opened the IYM in Rome, Italy. The Government of India hosted a special “Millet Luncheon” for MPs at the Parliament House.
Recognizing the huge potential of Xiaomi, which is also in line with several of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), India has made Xiaomi a priority. In April 2018, millet was renamed “Nutrition Grain”, and 2018 was declared the National Year of Millet.
The UN’s declaration of IYM 2023 helps India to be at the forefront of celebrating the Year of Millet. Prime Minister Modi also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a “people’s movement” while positioning India as a “global millet hub”.
The global millet market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% between 2021 and 2026.
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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