Two-day event titled “ Promotion of Millets in India “ Underway at DK Convention Hall

Itanagar, 28 September 2024: 

A two-day event titled “Promotion of Millets in India” being  organised by North-Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Government of India began at Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre, Itanagar on September 28.

 The events aim at generating awareness and promote benefits of millet consumption to create an upstream effect of increased production by farmers.

 Anjal Kumar Dutta, Deputy General Manager (Agri-Business), NERAMAC, while setting the context for the event and welcoming the dignitaries, farmers, entrepreneurs and other participants highlighted the benefits of millets, India’s Golden Grain which is a nutritional powerhouse and reasons to use them as an alternative to rice. 

He also spoke about the Government of India’s thrust towards this produce over the last few years leading up to the world recognizing it in the form of an International Year of Millets in 2023, and NERAMAC’s drive to make India’s Golden Grain a household name.

 Tumken Angu, Deputy Director (Plant Protection),Agriculture Department. Govt. of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar, commended the effort being taken by NERAMAC in the Agri-Horti sector in general and for the promotion of Millets in specific. 

She mentioned that Millet is a ‘superfood’ in a true sense and that a collaborative effort between NERAMAC and the State Government would yield beneficial results to farmers. It emerged in discussions that millet was always a part of the diet of our ancestors and that it was essential to preserve and promote it for food security, agri-diversity and its nutritious nature. 

The efforts of NERAMAC intaking up the cause of Millet consumption was also appreciated. The highlights of the event are the stalls displaying Millet products for sale and the awareness of the public at large. The event witnessed the participation of around 50 beneficiaries, including millet farmers and entrepreneurs from Assam & Arunachal Pradesh. 

The event is supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.