Plan to Promote Millet Exports

The Union Ministry of Commerce, via its apex agricultural export promotion body, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), has formulated a plan to promote millet export from India from December 2022.

What are the key features of the plan?

  • Promotion of participation of exporters, farmers and traders in 16 international trade expos and Buyer Seller Meets (BSMs)
  • Indian missions in foreign countries will be involved in branding and publicizing Indian millet. They will identify international chefs as well as potential customers like departmental stores, supermarkets and hypermarkets for organizing business-to-business meetings and direct tie-ups.
  • Ambassadors of the foreign missions in India from certain countries having potential millet markets will be invited to showcase millet-based products and facilitate B2B meetings.
  • Millet promotional activities will be organized by APEDA in South Africa, Dubai, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Belgium, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
  • Millet and millet-based value added products will be showcased in various global platforms like Gulfood 2023, Foodex, Seoul Food & Hotel Show, Saudi Agro Food, Fine Food Show in Sydney (Australia), Belgium’s Food & Beverages Show, Germany’s BioFach and Anuga Food Fair, San Francisco’s Winter Fancy Food Show and others.
  • These events will facilitate participation of various stakeholders in the Indian millet industry in major food shows, buyer-seller meets and roadshows.

International Year of Millets

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets. It was adopted by an India-led UNGA resolution that was supported by some 70 countries. It aims to:

  • Raise public awareness about the contribution of millet in boosting food and nutritional security
  • Promote sustainable production of millets
  • Boost investment in research and development and supportive services to achieve the other two objectives.

The Indian Government is currently organizing the International Year of Millets at the domestic and international levels to popularize Indian millets and value added products by making it a people’s movement.


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