During the inauguration of the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in Pusa, New Delhi, Prime Minister, Narendra Modi said, that India’s Millet Mission will become a blessing for 2.5 crore marginal farmers. After independence, this is for the first time that a government is paying attention to the needs of millet-producing farmers.
Millet is a common terminology for small-seeded grasses that are often called Nutri-cereals.
“Today, millets constitute only 5-6 percent of the national food basket. I urge India’s scientists and farm experts to work expeditiously to increase the share. We will have to set achievable targets for it,” PM Modi said.
PM Modi further added, “In India, millets are primarily grown in 12-13 states. However, in these states, the domestic consumption per person was not more than 2-3 kgs per month. Today, it has increased to 14 kg per month.”
The PM went on to express his pride, stating that it is a great honor for the country that after India’s proposal and efforts, the United Nations declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’.
On March 18, 2023, Prime Minister Modi released a postal stamp and unveiled the official coin of the International Year of Millets 2023 at the Global Millets Conference in Pusa, New Delhi.
Along with PM Modi, the Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar, who was also present at the inauguration, said, “As a result of the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets by the United Nations on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the domestic and global demand for ‘Shree Anna’ has increased.”
