At the behest of the Government of India, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, at its 75th session, declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ (IYOM2023) to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of millet consumption and production. This initiative aimed to promote millets as a sustainable and versatile crop that can contribute to food security, poverty reduction, and the overall well-being of people worldwide.
The Odisha Millet Mission was set up in April 2017. It aims to bring millets back to its fields and food plates by encouraging farmers to grow the crops traditionally forming a substantial part of the diet and crop system in tribal areas.
Harsha Trust, being one of the Facilitating Partners of Odisha Millet Mission, arranged for IYOM programs and activities of Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) to commemorate the opportunity and spread the importance and benefits of millets in the rural area, and we named this event as ‘Millet Mother Program’.
Main objectives of IYOM
- Awareness of the contribution of millet to Food Security and nutritional benefits.
- To provide adequate knowledge to frontline health workers (viz. AWW, ASHA, etc.) who are directly involved as one of the caretakers of pregnant and lactating mothers, adolescent girls, etc.
- Inspire stakeholders to improve sustainable production and quality of millets.
- Focus on enhanced investment in research and development and extension services to achieve the other two aims.
Millet is a group of small-seeded grasses cultivated for thousands of years as a staple food source in various regions. They are known for their resilience in diverse climatic conditions, requiring minimal water and inputs compared to other major crops. Millets are rich in nutrients like fibre, protein, vitamins, and minerals, making them an important part of a balanced diet. Additionally, millet cultivation can positively impact soil health and contribute to biodiversity.
Furthermore, millets are environmentally friendly crops, requiring less water and often being grown using traditional and organic farming practices. Their cultivation can play a role in enhancing soil fertility and preserving biodiversity. The initiative encourages governments, agricultural organisations, and communities to collaborate in promoting millet cultivation, research, and trade. By emphasising the importance of millets, the International Year of Millet aims to foster sustainable agriculture, improve food security and achieve Sustainable Development Goals.
