The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session in March 2021 declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). FAO is the lead agency for celebrating the Year in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.
Millets can grow on arid lands with minimal inputs and are resilient to changes in climate. They are therefore an ideal solution for countries to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported cereal grains. #IYM2023 will be an opportunity to raise awareness of, and direct policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions. The year will also promote the sustainable production of millets, while highlighting their potential to provide new sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers.
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) too has been promoting the incorporation of millets as part of a healthy and diverse diet among citizens through its various initiatives. Various awareness camps hosted by NRO are as follows: 1. Eat Right Awareness program at MMDU Mulana, Ambala, Haryana dated 18/03/2023 was organized by NRO, Ghaziabad with aim to promotion of healthy eating habits and millet through Walkathon and Street Play. 2. Eat Right Awareness Program at Bhaskaracharya College, Delhi Team from FSSAI, NRO conducted an awareness camp regarding promotion of FSSAI Initiatives in the campus of BCAS, DU on March 16th , 2023. An informative lecture session was delivered in the College Fest “Food-O- Phile” regarding the FSSAI initiatives and licensing procedure. Also an open session for attending queries of the students as well as the faculty members was addressed by the CLA. 3. Soldier’s Startup Conclave-2023 at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi- dated 30 July, 2023 a Team from FSSAI, NRO conducted an awareness camp regarding promotion of FSSAI Initiatives. 4. Millets-From Farm to Plate-Awareness Program- FSSAI, Northern Region organized a millet awareness event based on the theme “Millets: From Farm to Plate” on 31st July, 2023 at Radisson Blu, Koushambi. In this event, more than 50 hotels and more than 200 chefs took part. Praveen Kumar Singh, the Agriculture Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GOI, was special Guest. 5. Millet March Symposium: Nourishing our nation's defenders with healthy grains Marking the ‘International Year of Millets-2023, The Indian Army organized a symposium titled “Millet March: Boosting Our Defenders with Millets” at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cant on December 14, 2023. Event was attended by representative from FSSAI, DFLR and Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Development Authority. S Vijayarani, Director FSSAI, NRO, Ghaziabad delivered a lecture on “Millets for Nutrition- The Regulatory Perspective”.
