The curtain closed on the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) on March 29, 2024, at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) headquarters in Rome. The year-long campaign aimed to raise awareness and appreciation for these nutritional powerhouses, and by most accounts, it was a success.
The closing ceremony served as a platform to reflect on the achievements of IYM 2023. A celebratory atmosphere filled the FAO headquarters as attendees, both in-person and virtual, witnessed a showcase of millet-based products from around the world. Live cooking demonstrations further enticed the audience with the versatility and delicious potential of millets.
FAO Director-General, Dr. Qu Dongyu, commended the global community for its commitment to promoting millets. He emphasized their significance in achieving food security and improved nutrition for all. Millets are known for their resilience, thriving in harsh conditions with minimal water. This characteristic makes them particularly valuable in an era of climate change and increasing food insecurity.
India, which spearheaded the initiative to designate 2023 as the International Year of Millets, played a leading role throughout the year. The closing ceremony featured remarks by Additional Secretary of India's Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Maninder Kaur Dwivedi. Dwivedi highlighted the importance of India's thriving millet ecosystem, encompassing startups, established industries, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), in driving millet promotion and adoption.
Looking beyond the celebratory mood, the ceremony also acknowledged the need to sustain the momentum gained during IYM 2023. Deputy Director-General of FAO, Beth Bechdol, expressed gratitude to all participants and stressed the importance of continued efforts to elevate millets on the global food agenda.
Several milestones marked the success of IYM 2023. Educational campaigns reached a vast audience, dispelling myths and misconceptions about millets. Research and development efforts gained traction, with a focus on improving millet yields and creating new varieties. The year also saw a significant rise in public interest and consumer demand for millet-based products.
The Global South Millet Convening, held in Dubai just before the closing ceremony, exemplified the collective drive to move forward. Leaders, policymakers, and representatives from key millet-producing countries and international organizations convened to devise strategies for deeper collaboration and explore the establishment of Centers of Excellence for Millets.
As the IYM 2023 baton is passed, the global millet community stands ready for the next chapter. The concerted efforts undertaken during the year have paved the way for a future where millets are not just celebrated but become a mainstay on plates around the world, contributing to a more secure and nutritious food system.