Shree Anna Conference

What is in the News ?

• The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, IARI Campus, PUSA New Delhi today. 
• The two-day global conference will have sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna) like promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders; millets’ value chain development; health and nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages; research and development etc.
• The Prime Minister also inaugurated and visited the Exhibition cum Buyer Seller Meet Pavilion. He also unveiled a Commemorative Stamp and Commemorative Coin. 
• This was followed by the Prime Minister digitally launching a compendium of Indian Millet (Shri Anna) startups and a book of millet (Shri Anna) standards.
• Based on India’s proposal, the year 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets (IYM) by the UNGA.
• In order to make the IYM 2023 a ‘people’s movement’ and position India as the ‘global hub for millets’, all stakeholders are being engaged to spread awareness about the benefits of millets (Shree Anna) for both cultivators and consumers.
• It was organised by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Important Points Covered by PM

• As Shree Anna is linked with Gaon as well as Garib (Village and the poor), it is becoming a medium of holistic development in India.
• Shree Anna is a  –
  • A door to prosperity for the small farmers of the country.
  • The cornerstone of nutrition for crores of countrymen.
  • Felicitation of the Adivasi community.
  • Getting more crops for less water.
  • A big foundation for chemical-free farming and a huge help in fighting climate change.

 GOI’s Initiatives in this Direction

• Millets were declared nutri-cereals in 2018 → making the farmers aware of its benefits, and generating interest in the market.
• Millets have been selected in 19 districts of the country under the ‘One District, One Product’ scheme.
• The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) as NFSM-Coarse Cereals and implemented in 14 States.
• In 2021, the PM POSHAN (earlier known as the mid-day meal scheme) was approved to include millet to enhance the nutritional outcome.
• India is planning to launch a global initiative – Millet International Initiative for Research and Awareness (MIIRA), to encourage the consumption and production of millets.
  
  Read Official PIB Post
  
  Read more about Millets

Practice Questions for Prelims

Which Millet crop usually grows in Rabi season?
a) Finger Millet
b) Sorghum
c) Pearl Millet
d) Kodo Millet

Ans d

Mains Practice Question

Millets have a huge potential to be a key element in climate-smart agriculture while also providing benefits for nutrition and food security. Elaborate.

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