The government of India has launched a five-day ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023 in Indonesia from November 22 to 26, to raise awareness about millets among the ten ASEAN countries.
The inaugural session featured a Millet-centric exhibition with active participation from Millet-based Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), start-ups, and renowned Indian chefs. Led by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, the Indian delegation includes chefs, start-ups, FPO representatives, industry leaders, and state officials.
During the festival, celebrity chefs from India and Indonesia will conduct live cooking workshops, presenting a diverse array of millet-based dishes to showcase the versatility and richness of these ancient grains, a release stated.
The ASEAN-India Millet Festival commenced in Jakarta on Nov 22, 2023, with a grand opening ceremony featuring dignitaries from ASEAN Member States, Indian Govt, FAO & more. Insightful panel discussions & exhibition by Startups and FPOs were among other highlights of Day 1. pic.twitter.com/NRfThylWo3
— International Year Of Millets 2023 (@IYM2023) November 23, 2023
Aside from the culinary delights, the festival will also include informative panel discussions on timely topics. The first panel, ‘ASEAN-India collaboration in Millets,’ explored initiatives to mainstream millets as part of the International Year of Millets 2023. The second panel delves into the climate-resilient qualities of millets, benefits for small farmers, and strategies to combat climate change through millet cultivation.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador of India to ASEAN, Jayant Khobragade, emphasized the crucial role of millets in addressing global hunger and nutrient deficiencies. Head of the National Food Agency (BPN) Indonesia, Arief Prasetyo Adi, underscored millets as a farmer-friendly and sustainable food choice in the face of climate change.
The festival, which coincides with the International Year of Millets, not only celebrates cultural and culinary diversity, but also aims to promote sustainable millet practices. According to a government release, it is a significant step toward implementing the ASEAN-India Joint Leaders' Statement on Strengthening Food Security and Nutrition, which was adopted at the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta on September 7, 2023.
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