International Nutri Cereal Convention 6.0: A Call for Millets' Revival

 

Millets, celebrated for their nutritional and environmental benefits, took center stage at the International Nutri Cereal Convention 6.0 held at Novotel HICC, Hyderabad, on October 18th, 2024. Experts from around the globe convened to discuss the vital role of millets in tackling food security and climate change challenges. Hosted by the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), the event underscored the urgent need to support millet cultivation and consumption while highlighting the crop’s health benefits and the importance of government backing to boost production.

Key Highlights:

• Focus on Millets' Role in Nutrition & Food Security
  The convention, held at the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), highlighted the significance of millets in addressing climate change and supporting food security.
• Support for Farmers
  P. Prasad, Agriculture Minister from Kerala, emphasized the need for incentives to encourage millet farming due to its lower water requirements compared to paddy.
• Global Participation
  Dr. B. Dayakar Rao, CEO of Nutrihub, noted that 16 countries and over 100 startups, FPOs, and policymakers are collaborating to promote millets.
• Health Benefits & Government Support
  Dr. Hemalatha R. stressed the nutritional benefits of millets and called for increasing MSP to incentivize cultivation. She also pointed out the need to reduce over-processing.
• Decline in Millet Cultivation
  The convention revealed a steep decline in millet cultivation since the Green Revolution, with sorghum and finger millet areas shrinking by 68% and 37%, respectively. Despite this, pearl millet remains a leader, with production increasing despite reduced acreage.

 

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