Bhubaneswar: Over 400 farmers, scientists from the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) and experts from ICAR and ICAR-CIWA are set to attend in the International Millet Day celebrations in Bhubaneswar November 10.
A high-level preparatory meeting, chaired by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo was held in Bhubaneswar on Saturday to finalise the programme roadmap.
It may be noted that November 10 is observed as International Millet Day every year, and Odisha is the only state in India that officially celebrates it.
This year, the celebrations will include a two-day International Symposium on Millets November 10 and 11, with the theme “Women in Agro-Biodiversity and Heritage.”
Officials said the event will feature special sessions by eminent scientists and personalities, including Soumya Swaminathan, chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation.
Odisha has emerged as a model state in the production, consumption and conservation of small millets, little millets and other forgotten foods. Recently, the Food Corporation of India (FCI) procured millet from the state and is expected to lift 40,000 metric tonnes of millet from Odisha alone.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Arabinda Kumar Padhee presented the programme details and briefed about the department’s upcoming roadmap.