4th Millets Festival Celebrates Cultural Heritage and Nutritional Value of Ancient Grains

 

The 4th Millets Festival, themed “Small but Mighty: Our Millets, Our Identity,” took place on August 6 at Shamator Town's public grounds. The event was organized by the Self Employed Women Association (SEWA) Shamator, in collaboration with North East Network (NEN) and the Millet Network of India (MINI).

Key Points:

• Attendance: Over 300 people attended, representing 9 villages and 11 wards in Shamator Town. The audience included government representatives, NGO members, community leaders, and elders.
• Origins of the Festival: The festival began in response to food shortages during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. SEWA, supported by seeds from Chassir, Rurur, and Leangkonger villages, started working with millets to address these challenges.
• Purpose: The first Millets Festival was held in 2021 to promote the benefits of millets, including their cultural, environmental, economic, health, and nutritional values. August 6 has since been officially recognized as Millets Festival Day by the Yimkhiung Tribal Council.
• Speeches and Insights:
  • K Esther: Explained that the festival emerged from the food crisis of 2020 and emphasized the need for community action to improve food systems.
  • Y Nuklu Phom: Chairman of the Lemsachenlok Society, stressed the importance of the 3 C's—Conduciveness of Soil, Crop Compatibility, and Climate Adaptability. He warned against losing native seeds and identities due to an over-reliance on new crops and subsidies.
  • Chubatemjen: Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Shamator, highlighted millets as ancient crops that were once staples but have been replaced by crops like rice. He called for greater awareness and education about millets through training and partnerships.
• Festival Highlights: The festival featured a storytelling competition about millets with youth from 9 villages, a farmers' market, an agro-biodiversity display, and cultural performances by farmers from Muleangkiur village, showcasing millet sowing and harvesting.

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