A delegation from Meghalaya attended the International Nutri Cereal Convention 6.0 in Hyderabad from October 17-19, 2024.
The delegation comprised 20 representatives from Meghalaya, including agripreneurs, startups, farmers, and officials from the Department of Food Processing, the Department of Agriculture, and the Farmer’s Commission.
The convention, organized by ICAR-Indian Institute of Millet Research and Nutri Hub, revolved around the theme “Millet is not merely an option; it is a necessity.”
This year’s event represented a crucial milestone in advancing millet cultivation and consumption.
Discussions focused on food security, nutritional security, and the indispensable role of millets in addressing global nutritional challenges B. K. Sohliya, Executive Adviser and Chairman in charge of the Farmer’s Commission, demonstrated visionary leadership by recognizing the need to fortify the value chain and inviting stakeholders from all sectors of the millet ecosystem.
Raj Bhandari, Member of NTBN and Guest of Honor, emphasized that even moderate consumption of millet can significantly enhance food and nutritional security.
He noted that each convention has progressively fostered greater engagement with millet and improved the overall ecosystem, leading to millet’s increasing global reach.
Bhandari warned that food production is projected to decline by 20% by 2030, while the global population continues to grow.
Consequently, mainstreaming millet is imperative, as there is mounting evidence supporting its benefits in the face of the threats of climate change.
Current data indicates the availability of 340 million tonnes of food grains in the country, ensuring food security. However, the critical next step is to achieve nutritional security. To this end, one-third of current cereal consumption should be replaced by millet. Support for value addition is crucial, as a radical overhaul of the existing system is urgently needed.
Speakers at the convention called for collaborative efforts among government entities, farmers, bureaucrats, and the scientific community to promote millet cultivation and consumption.
Prasad, Agriculture Minister of the Government of Kerala, announced plans to establish a Millet Board to further support the millet ecosystem.
The convention also underscored the significance of the “Decade of Millet” and the “Decade of Entrepreneurship,” highlighting that these initiatives must work in tandem to boost millet production and related businesses.
The first day of the convention provided invaluable insights for Meghalaya’s delegation, offering opportunities to learn from national experiences and explore strategies to enhance millet cultivation and consumption in the state.
The highlight of the event was the tour of the Nutri-Hub facilities, which proved to be a revelatory experience for the agripreneurs and entrepreneurs.
It showcased the vast potential for the Department of Food Processing, emphasizing that the ecosystem for the expanding millet market is built on solid foundations.
This visit should inspire the ‘Milleteers of Meghalaya’ to organize and collaborate effectively in promoting this climate-friendly crop, which was once the staple cereal of the state.
