After declaring ICAR - Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR) as the ‘Global Centre of Excellence on Millets (Shree Anna)’ at the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference, Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi reiterated the role of the premier institute in the promotion and adoption of millets, in his video message at the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting in Hyderabad.

In order to provide the Agriculture Ministers and delegates from various G20 countries a first-hand experience of ICAR-IIMR, especially during the ongoing International Year of Millets, a technical excursion to ICAR-IIMR was also arranged. The excursion was planned as part of the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting (AMM) which was held from 15^th-17^th June in Hyderabad.

The excursion and exhibition witnessed an enormous participation of more than 300 people including Hon’ble Agricultural Ministers, various delegates from G20 countries, international organizations and several other dignitaries from India.

After a traditional welcome of the Agricultural Ministers, the delegates were taken to the farms at IIMR campus where the standing crops of eight different millets were showcased. On this occasion, the Agriculture Ministers of G20 planted Millets as a symbolic gesture towards their collective commitment for promoting Millets.

The Agriculture Ministers also visited the various Millet processing units established at the IIMR campus which included the Primary Processing Unit, the Bakery unit, the Packaging Unit, followed by the Flaking Unit, Cold Extrusion Lines, Continuous biscuits line etc. These processing machineries are equipped to make various Millet value added products such Millet muffins, cookies and noodles.

The Ministers and other delegates also visited the Nutrihub. Nutrihub is the Government of India supported Technology Business Incubator hosted by the Indian Institute of Millet Research, ICAR – IIMR, Hyderabad. The Incubation Program at Nutrihub-IIMR is designed to help Millet start-ups grow in a streamlined fashion by providing them the required technology and support.

Further, at the Centre of Excellence, the delegates tasted various signature delicacies of their respective countries made with Millets. The Centre of Excellence at IIMR supports in knowledge transfer, technology dissemination and product development around millets.

One of the major highlights of the excursion was the Exhibition on Millets. The exhibition, featured 30 unique stalls, by selected FPOs, Millet exporters and Millet-based start-ups from across the country.

Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje launched three books titled ‘Milletology’, a dedicated Millet cookbook compiled by noted Indian chefs and culinary professionals of Indian Federation of Culinary Associations,  ‘Culinary Delights: Millets Traditional Recipes and Savouries’ by IIMR and a ‘A Compendium of Indian Millet Startups’ during the event.

India’s efforts to mainstream millets have found a resounding support from various millet-producing countries, and IIMR’s technology-driven approach to popularise Millets and efforts to promote Millet processing units, exporters and start-ups is a step ahead in the direction of India’s ‘leading role’ in the celebrations of the International Year of Millets.

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