Mussoorie : Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday inaugurated the ‘Capacity and Opportunity’ National Convention organized under Millets-2023 at a hotel in Mussoorie. The Chief Minister welcomed the guests from different states. He said that the brainstorming done by the experts in this conference would prove effective in making the International Millet Year a success.
The Chief Minister said that on one hand millets are useful for the farmers because of their low cost efficiency, on the other hand, being full of nutrients, they are very essential for all of us in today’s changing environment. Such events will not only help in the promotion of millets, but will also encourage the cultivation of coarse grains in Uttarakhand. The Chief Minister said that it is a matter of great pride for us that only after India’s proposal and serious efforts, the United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Coarse grains are cultivated in abundance in many states of India, but earlier farmers did not get fair prices for it. Now the picture is changing, the reason for this is the changing attitude of the people towards millets. Today, many startups have also started in the country regarding millets, which are not only benefiting the farmers but also providing employment to the people. That’s why the Prime Minister has given it the noun of Shri Anna. When we take a resolution forward, the responsibility of taking it to completion is equally important. Shri Anna is not limited to farming or eating only, those who are familiar with the traditions of India know that in our country “Shri” is not added to anyone just like that. Where there is “Shri” there is prosperity, there is integrity and there is victory. Whereas, in the technical session after lunch, the chairman speakers of Krishi Mandi Parishad, who arrived from other states, kept their views on the potential and possibilities of millets and shared their experiences in detail about the benefits of millets.
On this occasion, COSAMB President and Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi said that the National Conference on Millets is being organized by the National Council of Agricultural Marketing Boards (COSAMB). Today, a new light has arisen in the whole world regarding coarse grains. Reflecting the far-reaching thinking of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, there is a lot of enthusiasm among the people about Shri Anna in India. Millet feast has been organized twice in the state under the guidance of the Chief Minister. Millets are being promoted and farmers are being encouraged for this by organizing various conferences and seminars. The government has fixed the minimum support price of Manduve at Rs 35.78 under millets and is also being distributed to ration card holders through the public distribution system. The Agriculture Minister said that in the month of May, big programs will be organized to promote millets in Dehradun and Haldwani. A target has been set to double millet production by 2025. Agriculture Minister Ganesh Joshi said that in this program organized under the International Millet Year, scientists, experts, chairman of Mandi Parishad, farmers and other eminent people from different states of the country have shared their experiences and views on ‘Shri Anna’ coarse grain. Such a program will publicize the benefits of the state’s traditional millets like Mundwa, Ramdana and Jhangore, and along with their production, their marketing and consumption will also be encouraged. Urging the people of the state, Minister Ganesh Joshi said that they must use traditional millets of the state during festivals. Expressing confidence, Minister Joshi said that the discussion held in this three-day conference will definitely develop new opportunities and potential of ‘Shri Anna’ in the state, which will not only increase the income of the farmers of the state, but will also make our farmers strong and self-reliant.
On this occasion Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Kamal Patel, COSAMB Vice Chairman and Goa Mandi Parishad President Prakash Shankar, Assam Mandi Parishad President Manoj Baruh, Haryana Mandi Parishad President Aditya Devi Lal Chautala, COSAMB MD Dr. J. S. Yadav, MD of Uttarakhand Mandi Parishad Ashish Bhatgai and experts from different states were present.
