Workshop / exhibition on "Mainstreaming Millets for Food and Nutritional Security" held
Source: The Sangai Express / DIPR
Imphal, January 16 2025:
The ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill Region (ICAR RC NEH), Manipur Centre, organised a 1-day workshop cum exhibition on "Mainstreaming Millets for Food and Nutritional Security" at Loktak Farmer's Hostel, Lamphelpat, Imphal today.
The workshop was sponsored by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur in association with ICAR Agri-Business Incubation Centre.
Speaking on the occasion as the chief guest, Dr Anupam Mishra, Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal, elaborated on the significant role of millets in enhancing food and nutritional security and income of the small scale farmers.
"Globally the year 2023 has been announced as the year of Millet.
Apart fiom added nutritional value, cultivating millet widely will play a vital role in combating climate change", he added.
He also asserted that millets, which is considered a nutritious grain with high fibre content along with various vitamins and minerals, is suitable in addressing malnutrition issues by adopting it in the midday meal programme.
Delivering the presidential address.
Dr Vinay Kumar Mishra, Director of ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam, Meghalaya, said that the millet is considered as one of the oldest foods known to mankind.
"Considered as a Super food, millet can be grown on skeletal soil.
In a state like Manipur, which has two types of cultivable land where the plains have rainfed soils and the sloppy terrain have dry land which could be highly used in cultivating such crops by the farmers", he added.
He continued that millet's eco-friendly nature to grow in barren soils, in low water areas and drought resistant surface makes it suitable for farmers to earn more income.
"Millet should be a part of daily diet which will also encourage more farmers to cultivate millets.
Festivals and ceremonies should start accepting millet products instead of fast foods", said Dr Vinay Kumar Mishra.
Later, a technical session along with panel discussion was also conducted with various farmers where different experts shared their thoughts.
Ningthoujam Gojendra Singh, Director, Department of Agriculture, Government of Manipur also graced the function as the guest of honour.