Guyana President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali commended India for its leadership in advancing the objectives of the International Year of Millets at the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference in New Delhi on Saturday. India is the largest millet producer globally and is taking global leadership in addressing the global challenge of food and security by placing its “service expertise” at the forefront. Based on India’s proposal, the year 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The conference aims to promote and raise awareness of the benefits of millets for producers, consumers, and the climate.
The Guyana President expressed his appreciation for India’s contribution to the global challenge of food and security by addressing the International Year of Millets. He acknowledged India’s role as the largest millet producer in the world and its efforts in advancing the objectives of the International Year of Millets. He further stated that India is placing its “service expertise” at the forefront of this global challenge.
In his address to the conference, the Guyana President announced a collaboration between Guyana and India to embark on the sustainable production of millets. The Guyana government has provided 200 acres of land for exclusive millet production, and in return, the Indian government will provide technical guidance and support with technology transfer for millet production. This collaboration is a true partnership in the fight against hunger and the transformation of the agrifood system.
India’s leadership in the International Year of Millets was acknowledged globally, with the United Nations General Assembly declaring the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM). In line with the Prime Minister’s vision to make the celebrations of IYM 2023 a ‘people’s movement’ and position India as the ‘global hub for millets’, all central government ministries and departments, states and union territories, farmers, start-ups, exporters, retail businesses, and other stakeholders are being engaged to promote and spread awareness about the benefits of millets for the cultivator, consumer, and climate.
The conference will be attended by Agriculture Ministers of various countries, international scientists, nutritionists, health experts, start-up leaders, and other stakeholders. The two-day global conference will have sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna) like promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers, and other stakeholders; millets’ value chain development; health and nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages; research and development, among others.
India’s leadership in the International Year of Millets has been acknowledged globally, with Guyana expressing its appreciation for India’s contribution to the global challenge of food and security. The collaboration between Guyana and India to embark on the sustainable production of millets is a true partnership in the fight against hunger and the transformation of the agrifood system. The conference aims to promote and raise awareness of the benefits of millets for producers, consumers, and the climate, and will be attended by various stakeholders, including Agriculture Ministers of various countries, international scientists, nutritionists, health experts, start-up leaders, and others.
