The Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi’s declared and dedicated ICAR – Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad as Global Centre of Excellence on Millets (Shree Anna). As part of the 3-day G20 meeting of Agricultural Ministers at Hyderabad, a technical excursion of Agricultural Ministers of G 20 countries was held at ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad on 17 June, 2023.
A traditional welcome for the G 20 Agricultural Ministers by folk dancers of millet growing states of Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh was done initially. Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, Honorable Minister of State of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare – welcomed all the G 20 Agricultural Ministers with a traditional Stoll and Mala.
The excursion included visit to demonstration plots of various millet crops. Planting of millet crops was taken up by agricultural ministers, they were briefed on the various growth stages of millets by Dr. C Tara Satyavathi, Director, IIMR.
The Ministers also visited the primary and secondary millet processing facilities, Centre of Excellence – bakery unit, flaking unit, packing units, Nutrihub –where they tasted recipes of millets, food products of G 20 nations and other international cuisines. An exhibition showcasing the strength of ICAR – Indian Institute of Millets Research as Global Centre of Excellence on R&D on Millets, millet entrepreneurs and millet science was inaugurated by Honorable Minister Sushri Shobha Karandlaje along with the G-20Agricultural Ministers. The millet entrepreneurs displayed their diverse food products. Two book entitled “International Millet Recipes” and “Milletology” were released by all the Honorable Agricultural Ministers of G 20 nations.A filmon history of millets and a film on importance of millets showcasing climate resilience, nutritional superiority, and role of IIMR in research, value addition, entrepreneurship development and promotion of millets were screened.
This mega event was graced by Agricultural Ministers of G 20 nations, invited friendly nations, Heads of International Organizations, Dr. Himanshu Pathak,Secretary, DARE and Director General of ICAR; Sh.Manoj Ahuja, Secretary, DA&FW; Dr.Pramod Kumar Meherda, Additional Secretary (Farmers Welfare); DKYadava, ADG [Seeds), ICAR; Ms. Shubha Thakur, Joint Secretary DA&FW (Crops),Sri. M Raghunandan Rao, IAS, APC and Secretary (Agriculture Cooperation Dept.)Government of Telanganaand Directors of ICAR institutes located at Hyderabad.
Read more: https://www.millets.res.in/iyom.php
