The year 2023 has been designated as the International Millet Year, as part of the National Food Security Mission – Nutricereal and Crop Replacement Scheme. To raise awareness about whole grains and their nutritional value, the Agricultural Fair co-exhibition was organized in Varanama under the Crop Diversification Program Scheme by the Agriculture Branch Vadodara. The fair featured stalls from various departments such as Atma Project, ICDS, National Livelihood Mission, Health Department, G.N. FC, and GSFC.
At the fair, about 35 recipes were presented by the students of the University’s Food and Nutrition Department, highlighting the versatility of millets. Additionally, the agriculture department presented samples of millet grains. District Panchayat President, Ashokbhai Patel, expressed his satisfaction with the government’s efforts to support farmers, particularly those who are adopting organic farming and achieving success. District BJP President, Satishbhai Patel, emphasized the importance of natural farming in preserving soil health for future generations.
The Collector, A.B. Gor, urged farmers to take advantage of the various schemes implemented by Khatiwadi to help them become financially stable. Joint Director of Agriculture, M.S. Patel, informed attendees about the different agriculture department schemes available to farmers, from land preparation for seed planting to crop preservation.
At the event, experts discussed the importance of coarse grains and the disadvantages of excessive chemical product use in farming. Professor Dr. Hemangini Gandhi and Assistant Professor Swati Dhruva from M.S. University’s Food and Nutrition Department presented research and successful trials conducted on coarse grains. Agricultural scientist Bharat Patel gave further insights into the importance of natural farming.
To celebrate the International Year of Millet, guests were welcomed with a bunch of millet and a rangoli made from millet. The fair was attended by various officers from the District Agriculture Department, students from the university’s food and nutrition department, district and taluka level officials, committee members, representatives of various companies, members of Sakhi Mandal, and many farmers.
In conclusion, the International Millet Year aims to raise awareness about the nutritional value of whole grains and promote their cultivation. The fair in Varanama was an excellent opportunity for farmers and experts to share information and learn from each other. The various schemes implemented by the government, combined with organic farming practices, can help farmers achieve financial stability while preserving soil health for future generations.
