The “Promotion of Millets in India” initiative was 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 at Zone Naithu by the Park, in Dimapur on October 27. The event aims at generating awareness and to promote benefits of millet consumption to create an upstream effect of increased production by farmers, informed a report by PIB.

Commodore Rajiv Ashok (Retd), Managing Director, NERAMAC, welcomed the Nagaland Agriculture department officials, farmers, entrepreneurs and other participants and 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.

He highlighted the effort being taken by NERAMAC in the Agri-Horti sector in general and for promotion of Millets for a healthier tomorrow in specific. He mentioned that Millet is a ‘superfood’ in a true sense and that a collaborative effort between NERAMAC and the Nagaland Government would yield beneficial results to farmers.

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He lauded the efforts of the Nagaland government and farmers in producing and popularizing millets in the State. He mentioned the grain was catching the imagination of the public at large and it was important to maintain the momentum for its promotion. It was also brought out that it is essential to preserve and promote millets for food security, agri-diversity and its nutritious nature.

S Yongchang Phom, Addl Director Agriculture, Government of Nagaland, Chief Guest of the event highlighted that millets were always a part of the diet of the ancestors and that it was essential to preserve and promote it for food security, agri-diversity and its nutritious nature. He appreciated NERAMAC’s efforts for taking up the case of millet consumption.

The event saw stalls displaying Millet products for sale and awareness of the public at large. The event is supported by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India.