Bhubaneswar: Odisha is scheduled to host a two-day-long International Convention on Millets (ICM) Thursday and Friday in Bhubaneswar.
The ICM with the theme ‘Millets – Ancient Grains for Modern Challenges’ is being organised with the active involvement of local farmers, SHGs, entrepreneurs and many others.
ICM will showcase tribal knowledge of millets and food systems to B2B roundtable conferences for enhanced linkages between FPOs and other organisations. The convention is likely to have a significant effect on the policymakers with their decisions helping locals earn a better livelihood.
The technical and practical demonstrations for farmers, the International Millet food festival, business sessions, art & culture programs and the presence of celebrities like Chef Vikas Khanna and three time Grammy winner Ricky Kej in the event will be the attraction of the ICM.
Started in 2017, the Odisha Millets Mission was formed with the goals to achieve a higher millet acceptance and to highlight the dietary benefits these crops.
In Odisha, particularly, the tribal communities have kept millets alive as they become an essential and sometimes their only source for survival. With a diverse millet profile and initiatives, Odisha Millets Mission aims to revive state’s millet potential.
With recognising 2023 as the International Year of Millets, the United Nations and the FAO have catapulted the demand and acceptance worldwide.
UNI