Assam Rifles organised a ‘Millets Mela’ at Laitkor on Monday to raise awareness about the benefits of millets as a sustainable and nutritious food source.
The mela was inaugurated by Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, Director General of Assam Rifles. Renowned as the ‘Millets Man of India’, Khadar Valli, Padma Shri awardee, delivered an enlightening lecture, sharing his expertise on the health benefits and diverse uses of millets.
The event showcased a wide array of millet-based products presented by government and private organisations, as well as innovative startups. Participants included the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India (NAFED), National Cooperative Consumers Federation of India Limited (NCCF), Pansari Industries, Marbin Food Processing, Kodo Bazar Federation Farmer Producer Company Ltd, HQ Inspired (a Shillong-based startup), and APRINS (a Guwahati-based startup). From traditional millet dishes to contemporary recipes, the exhibition highlighted the culinary versatility of this ancient grain, blending health and taste.
Experts in nutrition and agriculture were invited to discuss the environmental and health advantages of millets, emphasizing their pivotal role in enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
