Lok Sabha Question No. 952 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: International Year of Millets
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 952 ANSWERED ON 26/07/2023

## INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF MILLETS

## 952. SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that United Nations has accepted the proposal for International Year of Millets 2023;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  is  planning  to  formulate  specific  scheme  for development of trade related infrastructure and transport related assistance to the   exporters, FPOs/FPCs and traders of Indian Millets;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to penetrate the Global Market of Millets?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) & (b) Yes, Sir. The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution, sponsored by India and supported  by  more  than  70  countries,  declaring  2023  as  the  International  Year  of  Millets.  The celebration of the International Year of Millets is intended to increase public awareness on the health benefits  of  millets  and  their  suitability  for  cultivation  under  tough  conditions  marked  by  climate change.

(c) & (d) The Agricultural & Processed Food Products Export Develop Authority (APEDA) has the mandate to promote export of millets. APEDA provides assistance to its registered exporters of millets (including FPOs/FPCs and traders) under Agriculture & Processed Food Export Promotion Scheme  of  APEDA.  The  assistance  is  provided  under  various  components  of  the  schemes  viz. Infrastructure Development, Quality Development and Market Development.

(e) The Government, through APEDA, has been working to leverage partnerships with start-ups, academic & research institutions, Indian missions, processors, retailers and exporters to promote Indian

millets in the global markets. An Export Promotion Forum (EPF) dedicated to promoting millets in the international market has been established. The EPF provides a platform for stakeholders to collaborate, share  knowledge,  and  explore  opportunities  in  the  global  millet  market.  APEDA  is  also  actively engaged  in  capacity  building,  awareness  creation  and  knowledge  sharing  amongst  international stakeholders  by  organizing  virtual  Buyer  Seller  Meets  (BSMs),  capacity  building  programs, collaborating with state millet mission programs, conducting FPO meets etc.

A separate millet-specific web portal has been developed containing information about millets, their health  benefits,  production  and  export  statistics,  millet  exporter's  directory  etc.  APEDA  has  also organized a comprehensive global marketing campaign showcasing India's potential and accordingly E-catalogues of 30 importing countries and 21 millet producing states have been released.

A  Virtual  trade  fair  (VTF)  for  millets  has  been  developed  and  made  available  for  exporters  and importers from across the globe providing a single platform to interact and negotiate business deals. VTF is operational for 24X7, 365 days.

APEDA has  also  organized    participation  in  international  trade  fairs  like  BIOFACH  -  Germany, Gulfood - Dubai , Natural Products Expo West - USA , International Food and Drink (IFE) and BSM - UK , SIAL Food - Canada, Seoul Food & Hotel - South Korea etc. facilitating exporters to present and promote their millet products in global markets. APEDA is also associating with Indian Missions in importing countries to promote millets and value-added products.

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