New Delhi: At the closing ceremony of the International Year of Millet 2023 (IYM 2023), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations said that millets can be called ‘a global superfood’ due to their nutritional and health benefits.
The closing ceremony of IYM 2023 was held in Rome, Italy, on March 29, 2024. The ceremony was hybrid, as some participants joined the event in-person while others joined virtually.
The ceremony began with a speech by the Director-General of FAO, Dr. QU Dongyu, who praised the efforts of the international community in promoting millet-related initiatives. He emphasised the crucial role of millets in achieving food security and nutrition for all.
In his speech, the Additional Secretary of the Indian government, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi, highlighted the importance of India’s millet ecosystem. She said that the country is home to a vast number of start-ups, industries, and FPOs that are working towards promoting and adopting millets.
Minister and Permanent Representative of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to FAO Yaya Adisa Olaitan Olaniran emphasised the significance of millets and how they can be integrated into sustainable agricultural practices in Nigeria.
Other dignitaries who were present on the occasion included high-level officials from various countries, including the ministers of agriculture of more than 70 countries.
The closing ceremony of IYM 2023 was a significant step in the advancement of millet-related initiatives. The ceremony highlighted the various activities and events that were organised under the International Year of Millet 2023 across different regions. This helped in raising awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millet consumption.