Bhubaneswar to Host India’s 1st International Millet Convention on Nov 9-10

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s capital city Bhubaneswar will host the country’s first-ever International Convention on Millets on November 9 and 10 at Janta Maidan.

It was announced at a press conference led by Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain at Krushi Bhavan on Wednesday.

National and international stakeholders will attend this convention to promote the cultivation and consumption of millets.

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Odisha celebrates November 10 as Mandia Dibas.

Odisha is the first state in India to organize the International Millet Convention. The theme of this Convention is ‘Millets – Ancient Grains for Modern Challenges’.

This convention will involve farmer engagement activities, display of emerging technologies and machinery, experience centres, technical sessions, policy roundtables, B2B meetings, International Food Festival, Quiz competitions, Cooking competitions etc.

The International Convention shall focus on the tribal heritage of millets and showcase success stories of millet.

United Nations agencies such as Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Agri counsellors of Southeast Asian & Middle Eastern countries, African countries and European countries, embassies of several countries, Agriculture Secretaries of different states and many others will attend the session.

A unique musical concert on climate change and Millet by three-time Grammy Award winner Rickey Kej is also scheduled on the evening of November 9. Eminent Chef Vikas Khanna has also agreed to attend.