On the occasion of G20 Leaders' Summit which is being held from 9-10 September 2023 at New Delhi, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare is organising a special visit of G20's First Spouses to IARI Campus, PUSA, New Delhi on 9 September 2023. The visit will focus on acquainting the First Spouses with strides taken by India within the field of agriculture including millets.

1. The visit will include a tour of millet fields, and an exhibition showcasing the strength of Agri-start- ups ecosystem with display of their unique and innovative solutions by integrating technology to address ground-level challenges and thereby digitising agricultural practices. In addition, members of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) belonging to diverse tribes across the country, will be showcasing edible products prepared with millets and marketed throughout the country.

2 The exhibition will also include stalls highlighting India's achievements in Research and Development (R&D) presented by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) showcasing the latest innovations in precision agriculture, agricultural technology, and advancements in mechanization that are propelling the sector forward.

3. The exhibition will further comprise of live cooking demonstrations by three renowned celebrity chefs: Chef Kunal Kapur, Chef Ajay Chopra, and Chef Anahita Dhondy. Joining these chefs will be two culinary experts from the ITC group, Chef Kusha Mathur and Chef Nikita Mehra. In the 'Live Cooking Area', the five chefs will prepare a 'full course meal' with focus on Millets.

4. Inside the exhibition, a dedicated culinary section will showcase millet-based dishes from all G20 member countries, offering a tribute to each nation participating in the event.

5. As a part of the exhibition an Agriculture Street is being displayed showcasing the agriculture value chain from Seeding to Feeding harmonizing ancient agricultural practices with moder technological advancements. The Agriculture Street is an enriching journey through the heart of India's agricultural heritage and its dynamic present.

6. As part of the exhibit, the Ministry will be showcasing the various agricultural practices from farm to plate by bringing together experts, scientists, and farmers on a single platform, highlighting the interconnectedness of traditional wisdom and modern solutions in shaping the future of agriculture. The street will consist of 9 interactive stalls with a rustic décor guiding the spouses of G20 Head of States through this immersive experience to explore the various stages of agriculture with focus on millets and the rich genetic diversity across other crops, highlighting India's initiatives towards food and nutritional security.

7. A primary attraction in the Agriculture Street will be display of work being carried out by renowned tribal famer Lahri Bai, from Dindori, Madhya Pradesh towards seed conservation. The stall will highlight her efforts towards running a local seed bank where she is conserving more than 150 indigenous seed varieties including about 50 varieties of millet seeds, rightfully earning her the epithet of 'Millet Queen of India'.

8. Two exquisite millets based rangolis will be crafted using indigenous agricultural crafts, ancient grains, and creative flair, encapsulating India's agricultural heritage and commitment to sustenance. The first rangoli captures the theme of "Harmony of Harvest" unveiling India's deep- rooted agricultural traditions. The second rangoli piece echoes the heart of India's cultural philosophy - "The World Is One Family", emphasizing global unity. These rangolis will serve as colorful symbols of our shared responsibility in fostering a world where sustenance knows no boundaries.

9. Following the event's conclusion, as a token of gratitude, the spouses will be gifted a thoughtfully curated hamper containing precious Indian handloom textiles and handcrafted artifacts. Every corner of our country is steeped in culture that is continuously evolving. Each piece of art in the hamper has been carefully selected telling a tale of revival and resilience.

10. A significant element of the exhibition experience will be interaction with women leaders of the millets value chain, such as farmers, processors, entrepreneurs etc. representing different parts of the country. The women farmers have been invited from 10 millet producing states which are Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar and Assam that are leading the movement to revolutionize millet production in the country on the back of robust millet missions and millet projects in their states. The mentioned states have laid out expansive plan to boost millet cultivation, processing, marketing and consumption of millets across the states.

CB/GP/JD

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