New Delhi : Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Tribal Affairs, Arjun Munda, inaugurated the ASEAN-India Millet Festival in New Delhi on December 14, 2023. The festival, aligned with the International Year of Millets 2023, aimed to promote awareness and create a larger market for millet and millet-based products.
Addressing delegates from India and ASEAN nations, Minister Arjun Munda highlighted the government’s policies and market innovations to boost grain production and consumption. Munda emphasized the numerous benefits of millets for farmers, consumers, and the environment, positioning millets as a key contributor to global food-nutrition security.
The festival showcased India’s commitment to sustainable agriculture and nutrition security under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Munda praised the Government of India’s role in transforming the event into a global milestone, transcending boundaries and focusing on the socio-economic, nutritional, and climate benefits associated with millet consumption.
Speaking on millet’s potential to revolutionize agriculture, climate, and food security, Munda underscored its ability to thrive in diverse environments with minimal resources, offering maximum nutritional benefits. He emphasized the impact of millets on farmers, promoting stability in uncertain climates and empowering communities with sustainable income.
The festival also highlighted India’s efforts in promoting millets globally, including campaigns positioning millets as a solution to malnutrition, climate change, and sustainable farming. The launch of State Millet Missions, projects, and the designation of millets as “One Country-One Priority Product” showcased India’s commitment to harnessing millet’s potential.
Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, Manoj Ahuja, emphasized the festival’s diplomatic significance in fostering ties with ASEAN nations for millet promotion and adoption.
The inaugural day featured enlightening panel discussions on millets’ nutritional merits and their historical and cultural ties in Southeast Asia. The festival will continue until December 15, 2023, following a preceding event in Jakarta, Indonesia. A Business-to-Business (B2B) meeting is scheduled for day two, facilitating engagement between businesses from India and ASEAN member states involved in trading millets and millet-based products. This presents a crucial opportunity for startups and farmer-led organizations to explore international markets.
Additional Secretary Maninder Kaur and Joint Secretary Shubha Thakur welcomed guests. The festival includes panel discussions on food security, business cooperation, and an exhibition of millet-based products organized by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and startups. Policymakers, entrepreneurs, startups, and officials from ASEAN countries, including India, are participating in this two-day festival organized by the Indian Mission in ASEAN in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.