International Year of Millets 2023 (Denomination of `75) – Folder Packing (PROOF) – FGCO001185

‘Millets’ were among the first crops to be domesticated in India with several evidences of its’ consumption during the Indus valley civilization. Millets are important by the virtue of its mammoth potential to generate livelihood, increase farmer’s income, and to ensure food & nutritional security all over the world. Globally, India ranks first in area coverage and production under millets.

Recognising the enormous potential of Millets in holistic development, which also aligns with several Sustainable Developments Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, the Government of India (GOI) prioritized Millets by promoting them between 2011-12 to 2013-14, under Nutritional Food Security Mission (NFSM). In April 2018, Millets were rebranded as “Nutri Cereals”, followed by the year 2018 being declared as the National Year of Millets, aiming at larger promotion and demand generation.

With the aim to generate mass awareness, increase production, productivity and strengthen the Millets value-chain towards enhanced Miller consumption, under leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi,” The United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as International Year of Millets(IYM) on 5^th March 2021. The proposal submitted by the Government of India was supported by 72 countries”. Through this declaration, the UNGA aims to elevate awareness of nutri-cereals(millets)for food security and nutrition, enhance investment in R&D and extension, and to inspire stakeholders towards improving production productivity and quality of millets. Additionally, the Government of India aims to make IYM 2023 a people’s movement for the country, inspiring markets, farmer’s & Consumers, so that the Indian millets, recipes, and value-added products come to be accepted globally.

The year 2023 will witness a year long campaign and several activities nationally and globally for increased adoption and promotion of millets.