Accepting the Government of India's proposal, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 the International Year of Millets with the goal of raising public awareness, increasing production and productivity, and strengthening the millet value chain to increase millet consumption (IYOM).
The Government of India is leading the charge to celebrate IYOM 2023 in grand style, by Prime Minister Modi's vision of making it a "Peoples' Movement."
More than 60 countries' High Commissioners/Ambassadors to India are expected to attend the official luncheon on Thursday. The luncheon's primary goal is to raise awareness about Indian millets and to collaborate with other countries to ensure a successful and impactful global celebration of IYOM 2023.
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Agriculture Minister, and Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, will share the government's vision for a successful IYOM 2023 celebration.
A video demonstrating the miraculous impact of millets on consumers, farmers, and Mother Earth will be shown at the start to take delegates on a visual journey of the 'Super grain.'
The lunch will feature an elaborately curated Millet spread to highlight the diversity of Indian millets and Millet cuisines. Along with the millet culinary experience and formal interaction, approximately 30 Indian start-ups will participate in an exhibition at the event venue to showcase various food products, including ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook millet items.
The GoI has kicked off the pre-launch celebrations in a big way, with a total of twenty-three international events planned through APEDA and MEA.
The international events will promote multi-stakeholder collaboration through B2B, B2G, and G2G interactions and the display of millet-based value-added products. The Indian diaspora, Indian embassies, chefs, the media, and the community will all play essential roles in promoting millets and IYOM 2023.
