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Context

• Recently, the Global Millets Conference was inaugurated by PM Modi at Subramaniam Hall, PUSA New Delhi.

Read all about Millets: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/millet

Highlights of the Global Conference

• PM informed the foreign delegates about India’s branding initiatives for millets as India now calls millets - Shree Anna.
• Conducted sessions on various issues pertaining to millets-
  • 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.
• An Exhibition cum Buyer Seller Meet Pavilion was inaugurated.
• A compendium of Indian Millet startups and a book of millet standards were launched.
• On various topics Brainstorming sessions were held such as:

-The farming of millet,

-Millet’s economy,

-Health benefits, and

-Farmers’ income.

• There will be active participation of Gram Panchayat, Krishi Kendras, schools, colleges, and agricultural universities along with the Indian embassies and several foreign countries.

Observations and Messages from International Leaders

President of Ethiopia, H.E. Sahle-Work Zewde

• She exclaimed that millets provide an affordable and nutritious option to feed the people in these times.
• She reiterated that Ethiopia is an important millet-producing country in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• She underlined the utility of the Conference for highlighting the policy attention needed for the propagation of millets and studying the suitability of the crops as per their ecosystem.

H.E. Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana

• He said that India has assumed global leadership in promoting the cause of millet.
• India is placing its expertise for the use of the rest of the world in the process.
• The success of the International Year of Millets will go a long way in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Guyana has recognized millet as a key factor in ensuring food security and the country is embarking on a collaboration with India for scalable production of millet by earmarking 200 acres of land for exclusive millet production. In this, India will provide technical guidance and support technology. 

Significance of the Conference

• PM Modi reiterated that such events are not just a necessity for the global good but also a symbol of India’s responsibilities towards the global good.

PRELIMS PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Choose the correct answer with reference to the following statements. A.    Being a C4 group of cereals, millets convert more carbon dioxide to oxygen. B.    Millets grow in almost any type of soil – sandy or with varying levels of acidity. They hardly need any fertilisers or irrigation. 1) A only 2) B only 3) Both A and B 4) Neither A nor B Answer: 3

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1908322