Bhubaneswar, Nov 29 – Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) was presented with the award for “Global Model on Millet Promotion” at the International Nutri-Cereal Convention (INCC) 5.0 which concluded in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, who was present at the convention, thanked the IIMR, NutriHub, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and the jury members for recognizing Odisha Millets Mission as “Global model on millets”
Padhee dedicated the award to real heroes of Odisha Millets Mission, farmers, women self-help groups, custodian seed savers, FPOs, NGOs, his colleagues, and officers in the Department.
He emphasised the participatory approach of OMM which paved the way for its successful implementation and recognized it as replicable and scalable model for revival of millets.
The recognition of Odisha Millets Mission for Poshak Anaaj Awards at INCC 5.0 is befitting due to its pro-people farm to plate approach which brings multiple stakeholders under a single platform to address the issues of food security, nutrition, climate change, women empowerment and entrepreneurship opportunities, Padhee said.
The theme of the convention is Mainstreaming Millets Now & Beyond 2023 which shows the importance of these ancient grains in today’s time.
The convention was graced by high level delegates including Government officials, policy experts, researchers and FMCGs .
The inaugural session was attended by Director, IIMR, CEO, Nutrihub, Director General, ICRISAT, Country Director, WFP India and FAO representative in India.
The valedictory session was presided by Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan, Governor Telangana & Lt. Governor, Puducherry as the Chief Guest.
Director AIIMS, Hyderabad, Chairman, CACP, Director, ICAR-NAARM, Former CEO, NRAA and other eminent guests also attended the event.
OMM has comprehensively revived millets in the state of Odisha and has paved the way for the rest of the country and world as a model program.
Odisha is also the first state to dedicate a day (10th November of each year) for celebrating Millet Day or Mandia Dibasa.
