Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu congratulated the state agriculture department for receiving the prestigious certificate of appreciation for its exceptional work in promoting millets during the International Year of Millets-2023 (IYOM-2023).
The state Agriculture Department has been honored with certificate of appreciation from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The Chief Minister said the award was a result of the state Agriculture department's efforts to promote millets, create momentum for these ancient grains and create awareness about its immense nutritional, economic and ecological benefits.
He said the state government was promoting cultivation of millets on a large scale and efforts were being made to educate people about the nutritional and health benefits of millets.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture stated here today that the year 2023 has been designated as the International Year of Millets to highlight the benefits of millets, spanning nutrition, health, environmental sustainability and economic development. As the global food system faces challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, a growing population, limited natural resources and climate change, millets offer a viable solution. These crops are affordable, nutrient-rich, and can thrive in diverse and adverse climates with minimal inputs.
Recognizing the importance of this initiative, Agriculture organized various activities across the state to create awareness and encourage millet cultivation. These activities included millet-based camps, fairs, festivals and exhibitions aimed at raising awareness and incentivizing farmers. The department provided necessary technological inputs and established market linkages to motivate farmers to produce surplus for the market, ensuring their continued participation in millet cultivation.
Key initiatives included distribution of seeds and mini kits, training programs for farmers and on-farm sales of millet and millet food festivals. Informative literature on millet cultivation and recipes were also distributed to create awareness about millet and its by-products. As a result, millets were cultivated in all districts of the state, covering an area of 1,526 hectares with a total production of 983 metric tonnes.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has acknowledged the enthusiastic efforts of the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department in promoting millets, generating momentum for these ancient grains and creating awareness about its immense nutritional, economic and ecological benefits.
Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar also praised the farmers of the state for their dedication to millet cultivation.
He said the state government will continue its efforts to promote cultivation of millets and other quality agricultural products.
Agriculture Secretary C. Paulrasu and Agriculture Director Kumad Singh appealed to the farming community to continue this journey by improving the area and production of millets, especially focusing on finger millet, Kodo millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet and little millet. .
The state Agriculture Department has been honored with certificate of appreciation from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The Chief Minister said the award was a result of the state Agriculture department's efforts to promote millets, create momentum for these ancient grains and create awareness about its immense nutritional, economic and ecological benefits.
He said the state government was promoting cultivation of millets on a large scale and efforts were being made to educate people about the nutritional and health benefits of millets.
A spokesperson for the Department of Agriculture stated here today that the year 2023 has been designated as the International Year of Millets to highlight the benefits of millets, spanning nutrition, health, environmental sustainability and economic development. As the global food system faces challenges such as hunger, malnutrition, a growing population, limited natural resources and climate change, millets offer a viable solution. These crops are affordable, nutrient-rich, and can thrive in diverse and adverse climates with minimal inputs.
Recognizing the importance of this initiative, Agriculture organized various activities across the state to create awareness and encourage millet cultivation. These activities included millet-based camps, fairs, festivals and exhibitions aimed at raising awareness and incentivizing farmers. The department provided necessary technological inputs and established market linkages to motivate farmers to produce surplus for the market, ensuring their continued participation in millet cultivation.
Key initiatives included distribution of seeds and mini kits, training programs for farmers and on-farm sales of millet and millet food festivals. Informative literature on millet cultivation and recipes were also distributed to create awareness about millet and its by-products. As a result, millets were cultivated in all districts of the state, covering an area of 1,526 hectares with a total production of 983 metric tonnes.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare has acknowledged the enthusiastic efforts of the Himachal Pradesh Agriculture Department in promoting millets, generating momentum for these ancient grains and creating awareness about its immense nutritional, economic and ecological benefits.
Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar also praised the farmers of the state for their dedication to millet cultivation.
He said the state government will continue its efforts to promote cultivation of millets and other quality agricultural products.
Agriculture Secretary C. Paulrasu and Agriculture Director Kumad Singh appealed to the farming community to continue this journey by improving the area and production of millets, especially focusing on finger millet, Kodo millet, foxtail millet, barnyard millet and little millet. .
