Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the role of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in ensuring food security and cultivation as well as consumption of millets on Friday.
PM Modi’s comments came during the 22nd Summit of the Council of Heads of the Shanghai Cooperation in Uzbekistan’s Samarkand on Friday and at a time when countries around the world are suffering from a food shortage that was precipitated by the conflict in Ukraine.
Speaking about the advantages of millets, PM Modi said, “Millets are a superfood that has been grown for thousands of years, not just in SCO countries, but in many parts of the world. It is a traditional, nutritious, and low-cost alternative to dealing with the food crisis.”
“The year 2023 will be celebrated as the UN International Year of Millets. We should consider organising a ‘Millet Food Festival’ under the SCO,” he added.
Once known as the ‘poor man’s food grain’, millet is cheaper in price in comparison to other food grains. Millet is considered to be a good source of protein, fibre, and essential vitamins, as well as minerals.
Under India’s National Food Security Mission, India recently increased the area, production and productivity of millets. Over recent years, the production of millets has increased from 14.52 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 17.96 million tonnes in 2020-21, according to the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. India is promoting the culture of nutri-cereals by funding research and development and establishing a dedicated center(s).
India’s proposal to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets was supported by 72 countries. Following this, the UNGA declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
At the SCO Summit, PM Modi also emphasised the constructive role of the organisation in economic recovery and the supply chain. He proposed the elite regional transnational club set up a Special Working Group on Start-ups and Innovation.
In his address, PM Modi asserted that the SCO members could share their experience with India on entrepreneurship and innovation.
“There are over 70,000 start-ups in India. of which more than 100 are unicorns. Our experience can also be useful for many other SCO members. For this purpose, we are ready to share our experience with SCO member countries by establishing a new Special Working Group on Start-ups and Innovation,” PM Modi said.
With a reference to the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine in Gujarat, PM Modi urged the leaders of SCO states to set up an SCO Working Group on Traditional Medicine.
“We must increase cooperation on traditional medicine among SCO countries. India will take the initiative for a new SCO Working Group on Traditional Medicine,” PM Modi asserted.