The Millet Festival 2023 was inaugurated with the culmination of International Year of Millet (IYoM) at Organic Pavilion, Naga Heritage Village, Kisama on December 2, informed a DIPR report. Organized by the Department of Agriculture, the Chief Minister of Nagaland, Neiphiu Rio inaugurated the event as Special Guest.

Rio in his greetings expressed happiness over the participation in the culmination of International Year of Millet 2023 which was jointly announced by United Nations and the Government of India, for its requirement not only in India but also around the world. With the world facing food shortages because of climate change and unpredictable seasons which directly impact the harvest, Rio hoped that the culmination of international year of millet will also witness increase of its cultivation in the coming years.

He encouraged farmers to spread good quality seeds to other farmers in the state where the Department of Agriculture will take the initiatives. Rio, however rued, that even though the State is blessed with literate and educated society especially in technical field, it still lacks  progressive farmers.

Mhathung Yanthan, Advisor, Department of Agriculture, in his short speech appreciated the staff of the Department and the efforts of the farmers, crop scientists and policy makers for promoting millet from the neglected crop to regaining its rightful place in agricultural practices. “Lots of activities have been taken up by the department focusing on health benefits of millet, environmental advantages and economic potentials of millets which motivates and encourages the farmers. The demand of millets basing on its versatility is considered as a super food basing on its nutrient content is increasing in the urban areas thereby motivated the research institutions to develop climate resilient varieties of the millets,” said Yanthan. He also applauded the interest of the private companies for the contractual farming looking at the promises of the millet farming. “The GI registration of the millet is underway and the government is focusing on it, after which millet farming will have lots of potentials in our state,” informed Yanthan.

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Several category of awards on cultivation of millet were awarded: Chingmei Village, Tuensang under the best category award, Excellence category was booked by Pessao Village Mon, Good category was awarded to Chipur Village Noklak, Best millet award was bagged by Women folks of Thuvopisu & Chozuba, Excellent millet was won by Tseu Badze, Chiechama, Millet Sister Meluri won Good Millet SHG, Best individual millet farmer won by Chabao Hamlong from Tobu Village, Excellent individual millet award goes to Senjang of Chingmei Village Tuensang and Good individual millet award was won by Shingnyu of Chipur village Noklak.

Guest enjoying the millet meals

Voice from the field was delivered by Wekoweu Tsuhah, State coordinator, NEN while a Report on IYoM 2023  was presented. Millet Sisters from Meluri presented folk song on millet cultivation and harvest which was followed by the release of Policy Brief by the Special Guest, mentioned the DIPR.