BY DIRAMAKINI
THE World Millets Federation (WMF) has announced it will take forward August 30 as World Millets Day as a global movement focused on millet education, awareness, collaboration and meaningful action.
The initiative was originally proposed by Millets.News-Millets International Media Portal, to sustain the momentum created by the International Year of Millets 2023.It is now being actively advanced worldwide through the newly formed World Millets Federation.
A Global Federation of Millet leaders
WMF has recently been established as an international platform bringing together leading members of the millet ecosystem from across the world.
Its members include scientists, researchers, university professors, nutrition and health professionals, agricultural experts, millet manufacturers and entrepreneurs.
The Federation aims to connect this expertise for stronger collaboration in research, nutrition, sustainable agriculture, innovation, entrepreneurship and farmer development.
“The International Year of Millets created global attention, but the responsibility continues. World Millets Day can become one common annual occasion when the global millet community comes together to educate, collaborate, review progress and take meaningful action,” said Prasanna Srinivas Sarakadam, Founding Member of World Millets Federation and Editor of Millets International Media Portal.
Organisations have already begun responding to the call with millet-focused programmes, including awareness activities, seminars, community initiatives and nutrition programmes.
WMF is encouraging its international members and the wider millet community to contribute from their respective countries and professional fields.
Suggested activities include farmer programmes, millet meals, research discussions, university seminars, nutrition awareness drives, processing demonstrations, school activities, innovation showcases and media campaigns.
“The scale of an activity is not important. The purpose and impact are,” the Federation noted.
WMF wants August 30 to grow beyond a ceremonial observance into an annual point of action and accountability covering:Farmers, Nutrition, Research, Education, Sustainability, Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Markets, and Public Awareness.
The World Millets Federation has invited governments, universities, research institutions, scientists, farmer organisations, nutrition professionals, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, hospitals, schools, civil-society organisations, media and individuals to mark August 30 through meaningful millet-focused action and to strengthen the movement year after year.