1. Women and Child Development Ministry to celebrate the 5th Poshan Pakhwada
Tags: National National News
The 5th Poshan Pakhwada will be celebrated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development from March 20 to April 3, 2023, with several events across the country.
An overview of the news
The 5th Poshan Pakhwada is being celebrated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to promote good eating habits and focus on the value of nutrition through mass movement and public participation.
Thetheme of Poshan Pakhwada 2023 is -Nutrition for All: Together Towards a Healthy India.
During Poshan Pakhwada, campaigns will be launched to raise awareness and popularize efficient Anganwadis with advanced infrastructure and facilities.
This year, Poshan Pakhwada will concentrate on promoting "Shree Anna: the mother of all grains", as a useful tool to combat malnutrition, in light of the declaration of 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
About Poshan Pakhwada
Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated for 15 days in March.
Similarly, the month of September is known as National Nutrition Month across the country.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development will be the nodal ministry for organizing programs during Poshan Pakhwada.
2. Global Millets Conference to be inaugurated by PM Modi in New Delhi
Tags: Summits National News
The Global Millets Conference will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 19, 2023 in New Delhi
An Overview of the News
Agriculture ministers from six countries, international scientists, nutritionists, health experts, start-up leaders and other stakeholders from over 100 countries will participate in the conference.
The Prime Minister will unveil a customised postage stamp and currency coin on the International Year of Millets (IYM) - 2023 during the event.
The two-day conference will have sessions on a wide range of issues related to millets, including publicity and awareness, value chain development, health and nutrition, market linkages and research and development.
An exhibition-cum-buyer-seller meet will also be organised with a focus on millets with the participation of over 50 domestic and international buyers, importers, exporters and processors.
The exhibition will showcase millet and millet-based ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat products, by millet-based startups and exporters, and live cooking sessions by various international and national chefs.
Based on India's proposal, the year 2023 was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Millet Year.
Engaged all Ministries and Departments of the Central Government, States and Union Territories, farmers, start-ups, exporters, retail businesses and other stakeholders to promote and spread awareness about the benefits of millets to the farmer, consumer and the climate.
About Millet
India is the largest producer of millets in the world and the second largest exporter of these grains.
Millets have been an integral part of India's food culture for centuries, and several types of millets are grown in the country, including jowar, ragi, bajra, kuttu, ramdana, kangni, kutki, kodo, china, and sama.
Millets are known for their many health benefits, including being a good source of protein, fibre and micronutrients.
Rajasthan, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttarakhand being the top 10 states in terms of millet production.
Together, these 10 states account for almost 98% of millet production in India during the 2020-21 period.
3. Maharashtra’s first budget in Amrit Kaal will be based on ‘Panchamrut’ or five major goals
Tags: Economy/Finance State News
With an eye on social engineering and specific voter groups like farmers, women and those belonging to backward communities, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis on 9 March presented a state Budget worth Rs 6,02,008.33 crore for 2023-24.
An overview of the news
The budget size is higher by Rs 20,740 crore over the revised estimates for 2022-23.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the state's first budget in Amrit Kaal would be based on 'Panchamrit' or five major goals.
Fadnavis listed five goals - sustainable farming-rich farmers, inclusive growth, infrastructure development, employment generation and environment-friendly development.
Highlights of the Budget
Additional cash benefit for farmers of six thousand rupees under the ‘Namo Shetkari Mahasanman Nidhi’ that will supplement the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Samman Nidhi Yojana.
The scheme will benefit 1.15 crore farmers while the State will bear a burden of 6900 crores annually.
Cash benefit of 1800 rupees per year for farmers in 14 suicide-hit districts instead of grains distributed through PDS.
Provide crop insurance to farmers at a nominal rate of one rupee.
Insurance cover of five lakh rupees for fishermen with an outlay of 508 crores.
An outlay of 200 crores for ‘Maharashtra Shri Anna Abhiyan’ for technology diffusion, crop demonstrations, value chain development, promotion and publicity of millets and setting up of ‘‘Shri Anna Excellence Centre’ at Solapur.
An outlay of Rs 2,843 crore has been announced for the Women and Child Development Departmentunder inclusive development.
Under the new scheme Lek Ladki, families with yellow and orange ration cards will get a subsidy of Rs 5,000 after the birth of a girl child, Rs 4,000 in class I, Rs 6,000 in class VI and Rs 8,000 in class XI.
A cash amount of Rs 75000 will be given to the beneficiary girl child on completion of 18 years of age.
Women passengers will be given 50 percent concession for traveling by state transport buses.
1500 increase in the honorarium of 81 thousand ASHA volunteers and 3500 group promoters working in the state.
Announced an outlay of Rs 16,494 crore for social justice and Rs 3,996 crore for OBC welfare department.
Announcement of a new housing scheme called 'Modi Awas Gharkul Yojana', under which one million houses will be constructed for OBCs in the next three years.
On the infrastructure front, an expenditure of Rs 14,225 crore was made for roads and bridges.
“Mission Targeting” will be implemented to enhance the performance of athletes.
"Tent cities" will be set up at ten tourist spots across the state.
A total outlay of Rs 13,437 crore has been announced on environment and sustainable development.
4. Coarse Grain Fair cum Exhibition organised in Madurai
Tags: National
The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries organised a two-day Coarse Cereals Fair-cum-Exhibition from March 6-7, 2023 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu.
An Overview of the news:
The fair cum exhibition was organised as part of the Mota Anaj Mahotsav series in collaboration with the Department of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agriculture, Government of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu is known for the production of various coarse cereals. These cereals include Pearl Millet (Bajra), Jowar, Ragi, Little Millet-Kutki (Foxtail Millet-Kangni, Sawan, Kodo, Chena-Punarva) and Small Millet.
During the event, the first Common Incubation Center under the Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme was inaugurated at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University's Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Madurai.
The objective of the two-day event was to provide a platform to micro and food processing entrepreneurs to interact with leading industry people through B2B and B2C interactions organised during buyer-seller meets.
Megafood Event World Food India 2023
In addition to Mota Anaj Mahotsav, the Ministry will also organise the megafood event World Food India 2023 from 3 to 5 November 2023 at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi.
The event will be the biggest ever gathering of dignitaries, global investors and leaders from leading global and domestic companies that will place India firmly on the global food scene.
2023 has been declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the International Millet Year.
Grown in more than 130 countries, millets are a traditional food for more than half a billion people in Asia and Africa.
India is one of the leading producers of coarse cereals in the world with an estimated share of about 41 per cent in global production.
PMFME Scheme
Prime Minister's Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries on 29 June 2020 as part of the Atma Nirbhar Bharat campaign.
Its objective is to enhance the competitiveness of individual micro enterprises in the unorganised sector and encourage formalisation of this sector.
5. APEDA inks MoU with Lulu Hypermarket for export promotion of millets in GCC countries
Tags: Economy/Finance National News
In a move to harness export potential of millets to the Gulf Cooperation Countries (GCCs), the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Lulu Hypermarket LLC on 21 February 2023.
An overview of the news
APEDA aims to promote millet products and value-added products worldwide in collaboration with Lulu Group.
Lulu Group is an international retail hypermarket chain that operates stores and shopping malls inBahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
As per the agreement, Lulu Group will facilitate promotional activities for millet products and enable the country to showcase millet and its value-added products.
APEDA will facilitate manufactures to send various samples of millet products to Lulu Hypermarkets, which will be showcased at its various stores.
APEDA, in association with Lulu Group, will also provide assistance in labelling of the products in accordance with the requirement of different importing countries.
As a part of programs to promote the International Year of Millets 2023, APEDA is organising export promotion activities for millets at 16 international trade fairs, includingGulfood 2023.
India has exported millets worthUSD 46.05 million during April-November 2022-23 and UAE is the major importer of Indian millets.
About “APEDA”
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) was established by the Government of India under the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority Act passed by the Parliament in December 1985.
This authority functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Headquarters- New Delhi
Chairman- Dr. M. Angamuthu
6. Union Minister of Food Processing Industry inaugurates India Pavillion at Dubai
Tags: International News
India Pavilion’ at Gulfood, Dubai was inaugurated by Pashupati Kumar Paras, Minister of Food Processing Industries, Government of India in the presence of Sunjay Sudhir, Ambassador of India to the UAE on 20 February.
An overview of the news
The 'India Pavilion' is the largest pavilion at Gulfood 2023.
The 'India Pavilion' has 306 companies, including leading SMEs and startups, participating on one platform.
Indian companies are exhibiting in all sectors of Gulffood including beverages, pulses, cereals, food, meat and poultry, dairy, fats and oils etc.
Major Indian companies participating include Amul, MDH, Parle, Rasna, Bikanerwala, Bikaji, Everest Foods, Markfed, Safal and Red Fort.
In the 'India Pavilion', special promotion and branding of millets superfoods will be done as the United Nations celebrates the International Year of Millets 2023.
APEDA will sign an MoU with Lulu Group International for in-store promotion of millets in its supermarkets in the UAE.
Food Processing Industry of India
India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables, rice, fish and tea.
India ranks first in terms of production of milk, millets, spices, pulses.
India has agricultural exports of US$ 46.1 billion and 23 operational mega food parks and 12 agro-processing clusters.
India has shown renewed interest in millets because of their nutritional value and sustainability.
7. International Trade Fair on Millets and Organic Products held in Bengaluru
Tags: Festivals National News
The 4th International Trade Fair of Millets and Organics Products began on 20 January 2023 at Tripuravasini, Bengaluru.
An overview of the news
India is leading among countries to celebrate 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
This three-day fair is organised by the Department of Agriculture and the Government of Karnataka.
The three day event is divided into multiple segments including Exhibition, Pavilion, B2B Networking and much more.
Promotion of millet and organic market
The trade fair is a platform for farmers, farmer groups, domestic and international companies, central and state institutions to explore opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, processing, machinery and agro-technology.
The fair includes more than 250 stalls, millet and organic food court, cooking, drawing and quiz competitions, display of millet recipes, etc.
The budget allocation for farmers has been increased six times.
The country is focused on developing 10,000 Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) and assisting farmers in setting up sorting and grading units along with producing value-added products ready for export.
Consumption of millets is a solution to malnutrition, which will also benefit farmers for better livelihood and increased income.
India as the Global Hub for Millets
In India, millet is primarily a kharif crop, requiring less water and agricultural inputs.
Millets are important because of their potential to generate livelihoods, enhance farmers' income and ensure food and nutritional security.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation, global millet production in 2020 was 30.464 million metric tonnes (MMT), of which India accounted for 12.49 MMT or 41 per cent of the total millet production.
Karnataka pioneer for millet promotion
The Government of Karnataka has been a pioneer in the promotion of millets.
The first millets and organic fair was held in 2017, the second and third editions were held in Bengaluru in 2018 and 2019.
Karnataka is distributing millet grain through the PDS system and organising district-wise Kisan Melas.
8. PM to chair second National Conference of Chief Secretaries in Delhi
Tags: Summits National News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair the 2nd National Conference of Chief Secretaries on January 6 and 7, 2023 in Delhi.
An overview of the news
This will be an important step towards further enhancing the partnership between the Central and State Governments.
The first conference of Chief Secretaries was to be held in Dharamshala in June 2022.
The conference will focus on achieving rapid and sustained economic growth in partnership with the states.
It will see participation from representatives of the Central Government, Chief Secretaries and senior officers from all States/UTs and more than 200 domain experts.
The conference will lay the groundwork for achieving a developed India with emphasis on growth and employment generation and inclusive human development.
The best practices of the States/UTs under each theme will also be presented in the conference so that the States can learn from each other.
Six identified themes of the conference
Thrust on MSMEs
Infrastructure and Investments
Minimising Compliances
Women's Empowerment
Health and Nutrition
Skill Development
Three special sessions
Viksit Bharat: Reaching the Last Mile
Five Years of Goods and Services Tax (GST) – Learnings and Experiences
Global Geopolitical Challenges and India’s Response
Besides, focused deliberations would be held on four topics, viz Vocal for Local, International Year of Millets, G20: Role of States and Emerging Technologies.
9. International Year of millets 2023
Tags: Important Days
The year 2023 is being observed all over the world as the International Year of the millets. The Government of India aims to make the International Year of the millets a ‘People’s Movement’ and position India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’. India is the largest producer of millets in the world.
Background to the International Year
The Government of India proposed to the United Nations General Assembly to declare 2023 as the International Year of the Millets.
The proposal was accepted and passed by the 75th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 2021 and 2023 was declared as the International Year of Millets.
Celebration of the International Millet Year in India
In the month of January 2023 the government of India and its ministries in collaboration with the state government will undertake a series of events to celebrate the International Years of Millets.
The Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries which will be organizing Millet Fair-cum-exhibitions in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
The Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare along with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) will participate in a trade show on millets in Belgium.
The External Affairs Ministry through its embassy in Azerbaijan and Belarus will conduct Business to Business meetings and participate in food festivals in these countries to promote Indian millets.
The Indian High Commission in Nigeria has planned a Millets Food Festival and a Millets Food preparation competition in January 2023.
In the month of January Chhattisgarh, Mizoram and Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand and Punjab will be conducting millet centric activities including Mahotsav/ meals and food festivals, training of farmers, awareness campaigns etc.
Importance of Millets
Millet is one of the oldest known foods to humans. However its consumption in the world has declined due to the emphasis given to wheat and rice by the governments.
It is also called coarse cereals or nutri cereals due to its high nutritive value. To increase the consumption of millets in India the government of India declared millets as nutri-cereals and 2018 was declared as the National Millets Year in India.
The Government of India has set a target of production of 205 lakh tonnes of Nutri Cereals in the country by 2022-23.
Rajasthan is the largest producer of nutri-cereals in India followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
10. Government set a target of 205 lakh tonnes Nutri Cereals production for the year 2022-23
Tags: National Economy/Finance
The Government of India has set a target of production of 205 lakh tonnes of Nutri Cereals in the country by 2022-23. This information was given by the Union Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Ms. Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha on 21 December 2022.
Nutri-cereals refers to a group of crops comprising sorghum (Jowar), pearl millet (Bajra), finger millet (Ragi/Mandua), and small millets like little millet (Kutki), kodo millet (Kodo), barnyard millet (Sawa/Jhangora), foxtail millet (Kangni/Kakun), and proso millet (Cheena). They are highly nutritious and government is trying to promote the usage and productions of millets as Nuti Cereals.
Effort to increase the production of Nutri- Cereals in India
India declared 2018 as the National Year for Millets to promote millets for nutrition security.
The Government of India has launched NFSM-Nutri Cereals, a sub scheme under the National Food Security Mission. It is being implemented from the year 2018-19 in 212 districts of 14 states.
Rajasthan is the largest producer of nutri-cereals in India followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), India is the largest producer of millet in the world followed by Niger and China.
The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of the Millets.
