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.