"India's motto for G20 presidency is 'One Earth, One Family, One Future'. We consider the whole world as our family and this thought is reflected in the IYOM 2023 celebration as well. Millets, and all their varieties, have been a huge part of the Indian community for centuries. India introduced the concept of IYOM to the world but this is a cooperative project. We want to learn new methods and technologies used by the countries who joined us in this mission. It is our shared responsibility to create a supply chain that connects our countries," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the inaugural session.
He also shared the numerous advantages of growing millet, saying, "Millets are packed with nutrition and can grow in the most adverse conditions. They are a one-stop answer to both personal health and global health."
PM Modi also inaugurated & visited the Buyer Seller Meet and Exhibition. In addition, he unveiled a commemorative stamp and coin featuring millets. Following that, the Prime Minister launched a digital compendium of Indian Millet (Shree Anna) startups and a book of millet (Shree Anna) standards at the event as well.
In his address at the event, Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Narendra Singh Tomar said that the United Nations has declared 2023 to be the International Year of Millets on the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He went on to say that the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is on a mission to boost millet production and consumption in collaboration with other central ministries, all state governments, and other stakeholders.
The inaugural session was also attended by Kailash Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of Health and Family Welfare and Chemicals and Fertilizers of India, and Piyush Goyal, Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
