Global Millets Conference

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in news?
• Millets
• What are Millets?
• Millets and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• News Summary: Global Millets Conference
• Key highlights of the speech delivered by PM at the Global Millets Conference

 

Why in news?

• PM Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi.
  • Besides delegates from countries such as Maldives, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, and the Gambia, more than 75 lakh farmers virtually joined the event.
• The two-day global conference will have sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna) like: 
  • promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders; 
  • millets’ value chain development; 
  • health and nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages; research and development etc.
• A Ministerial round table on millets was also held here with the participation of Ministers and officials from 10 countries, including India.

 

Millets

What are Millets?

• Millets, popularly called "Mota Anaj" in Hindi, are a collective group of small-seeded annual grasses that are grown as grain crops, primarily on marginal land in dry areas of temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical regions. 
• In India, millets can be clubbed into major, minor, and pseudo categories. 

• Major Millets: Sorghum (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Finger Millet (Ragi/Mandua)
• Minor Millets: Foxtail Millet (Kangani/Kakun), Proso Millet (Cheena), Kodo Millet, Barnyard Millet (Sawa/Sanwa/ Jhangora), Little Millet (Kutki)
• Pseudo Millets: Buck-wheat (Kuttu) and Amaranth (Chaulai)

• The top five states producing Millets are Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.

 

Millets and UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

• The sustainable cultivation of millets can support climate-resilient agriculture - SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• The sustainable production of millets can fight hunger and contribute to food security and nutrition – SDG 2 (End Hunger).
• Millets can be an important part of a healthy diet - SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
• Greater consumption of millets can offer opportunities to smallholder farmers to improve their livelihoods - SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Proper handling of millets is key to maintaining their high quality and nutritional benefits - SDG 2 (End Hunger) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being).
• Greater trade in millets can improve the diversity of the global food system - SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 12 (Sustainable Consumption and Production).

 

News Summary: Global Millets Conference

• Recently, PM Modi addressed the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference. He also unveiled a Commemorative Stamp and Commemorative Coin.
• This was followed by the Prime Minister digitally launching a compendium of Indian Millet (Shri Anna) startups and a book of millet (Shri Anna) standards.

 

Key highlights of the speech delivered by PM at the Global Millets Conference

• Highlighted the importance of millets
  • Millet will bring income to small farmers of the country, solve issues of food security, curb lifestyle diseases, and help in climate change resilience.
  • The global branding of millets will help India’s 2.5 crore small and marginal farmers who are dependent on these crops.
• India's efforts to promote the consumption of millets since 2018 have yielded positive results
  • These efforts have led to an increase in consumption in 12 or so millets-growing states — the consumption increased from 2 kg or 3 kg per person per month to 14 kg per person per month.
  • More than 500 start-ups have been set up for millet products. 
  • Farmers’ organisations and self-help groups are also coming forward in this direction.
• Millets under the ‘one district one product’ scheme
  • In 19 districts, millet products have been selected under the ‘one district one product’ scheme of the government.
• Highlighted climate resilience of millets
  • He said millets can grow in adverse climate conditions, need very little water, and can be grown without chemicals. 
  • This means millets protect the health of humans and the land.
• Millets can address problems of both ends of the spectrum

Resilience of millets can help countries in the global south address issues of food security for their population while also addressing the problem of food habit-related diseases on the rise in the global north.

 

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Q1) What is Indian Agricultural Research Institute  (IARI)?

IARI is a premier institute for agricultural research, education, and extension located in New Delhi, India. The institute was established in 1905 and is currently affiliated with the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). IARI conducts research on various aspects of agricultural science, including plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology, soil science, plant physiology, entomology, and plant pathology. Its mission is to promote sustainable agricultural development in India and help address food security challenges in the country.

 

Q2) What is UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development? 

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is a plan of action adopted by the United Nations in September 2015. The agenda is a global framework for sustainable development, aimed at ending poverty, protecting the planet and promoting peace and prosperity for all. The agenda consists of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets, which set out specific and measurable objectives to be achieved by 2030.

 

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Source: PM Modi: Millets can solve food crisis, help climate change resilience | PIB | The Hindu