The University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur and NABARD organized a two-day Millets Conclave in collaboration with the Agriculture and allied departments. During the conclave, issues related to nutritious cereal production and value addition were discussed with the farmers, FPOs, entrepreneurs, Agri-Startups, investors, exporters, agricultural scientists, NABARD and lead banks and agricultural development departments.
The United Nations General Assembly has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets, with 72 countries supporting India’s proposal at the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was to commemorate this development.
On this occasion, the Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman announced several awards including three first prizes of one crore rupees each as an incentive to Agri Startups participating in the Millets Innovation Challenge.
Sitharaman said the promotion of millets will not only meet the food requirements, but will also give an opportunity to new startups to bring their products to the world. Besides, awards of Rs.20 lakh each will be given to 15 Agri Startups and Rs.10 lakh each to 15 other Agri Startups. She also announced a fund of Rs 25 crore to the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur from NABARD for millet research.
The Union Agriculture Minister Tomar said that Prime Minister Modi wants the farmers’ cost of cultivation to come down, they should have adequate technology support, and they can take advantage of schemes like micro irrigation. With a view to increase the power of small farmers, 10,000 new FPOs are being created by spending Rs 6,865 crore, he said.
Tomar lauded the Chief Minister Bommai for successfully running schemes including agriculture sector and said that Karnataka is moving ahead, being the first in the country to digitize the agriculture sector as a whole, in a transparent manner.
Tomar appreciated that Agri Startups have also done a great job in increasing the processing of millets. Now the time has come to give Millet a respectable place in the food platter of not only India but of the world.
Praising the Prime Minister’s vision in this regard, he said that just as Shri Modi established Yoga Day in the world after becoming the PM, he knows how to promote Millets in the world.
Appreciating the contribution of the Raichur University in promoting Agriculture, Chief Minister Shri Bommai said that the benefits of research of agricultural scientists should reach the fields. He urged the government to publish the findings of the conclave in the form of a report at the earliest.
The Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Ms. Shobha Karandlaje and the Agriculture Minister of Karnataka, Shri B.C. Patil also addressed the conclave. The Minister in charge of Raichur district, Shri Shankar B. Patil Munenkoppa and Raichur city MLA Dr. S. Shivraj Patil, Mayor and DMD of NABARD Shri PVS. Suryakumar, Vice Chancellor Dr. K.N. Kattimani were present in the program. An exhibition related to nutritious cereals was organized on this occasion, which was inaugurated by the dignitaries.
