India played a prominent role at the closing ceremony of the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 held at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome. The event, which featured a high-level hybrid format allowing both in-person and virtual participation, saw attendees from various parts of the world, including Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, Additional Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers, on Friday.
Dwivedi emphasized India’s thriving millet ecosystem, comprising startups, industries, and farmer producer organizations (FPOs), and their role in promoting and adopting millets. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu, in his opening remarks, commended the global community’s commitment to advancing millet-related initiatives and stressed the crucial role of millets in achieving food security and nutrition for all.
Yaya Adisa Olaitan Olaniran, Nigeria’s Minister and Permanent Representative to FAO, highlighted the significance of millets and outlined strategies for integrating millet cultivation into sustainable agricultural practices in Africa. The ceremony also featured a captivating video showcasing the diverse range of activities and events organized under the IYM 2023 across different regions, demonstrating the global reach and impact of the initiative.
In her concluding remarks, FAO Deputy Director-General Ms. Beth Bechdol expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment to the success of the International Year of Millets 2023. She emphasized the importance of sustaining momentum in promoting millets beyond the designated year.
The United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets following a proposal by India, supported by over 70 countries. The year-long celebration successfully raised awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption, their suitability for cultivation under adverse climatic conditions, and the benefits of creating sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers.
The closing ceremony served as a platform to assess the achievements and lessons learned from IYM 2023 and identify priorities for future investments, particularly to address identified constraints and strengthen millet value chains.
