According to a statement from the agriculture ministry, both organisations will collaborate to promote and market millet-based products while keeping in mind the international year of millet (IYOM)-2023 project.

 

In order to maximise value capture and millet-based commodities across the nation, India will organise, promote, market, and create effective market links for millet-based products as it prepares to put millet back on the world stage, the statement continued.

 

The national year of millets will be observed in 2018, the government has determined.

 

The government also recognised millets as nutri-cereals in the same year and included them in the POSHAN Mission Abhiyan.

 

Later, they presented the idea for designating 2023 as the International Year of the Millets to the UN.

 

India's initiative to promote millets was acknowledged, and on March 5, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) proclaimed 2023 to be the International Year of the Millets with the backing of the request from 72 other nations.

 

The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation and the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare will work together in important areas, such as facilitating advisory support to millet-based product makers and processors to create value-added millet-based commodities.

 

Included in these are the onboarding of start-ups, including those empanelled with the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), the creation of FPOs specifically for the development of a variety of millet-based products, the promotion and marketing of millet-based products through the network of NAFED Bazaar stores, and the installation of millet-based vending machines at various locations throughout Delhi-NCR.

 

In his most recent radio speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised the advantages of millets for both farmers and consumers.