An exhibition presents millet as a smart food, rich in heritage and full of potential

A new exhibit at the United Nations headquarters in New York highlights the crucial role millet plays in driving global food and nutrition security, adapting to agricultural risks posed by climate change and advancing the Goals agenda of Sustainable Development (SDG).

The exhibition, organized by the Indian mission to the UN on the occasion of the International Year of Millet, presents different types of millet grown in the Asian country, their nutritional value and their health benefits.

Millet is a diverse group of nutritious grains, such as pearl, proso, foxtail, kodo, browntopfinger and millet from Guinea, as well as fonio, sorghum and teff or wheat from Ethiopia.

At the exhibition, which was attended by delegates and senior UN officials, soft drinks and millet grains were also on display.

In a video message for the event, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed stressed that millet is rich in heritage and full of potential: For thousands of years, they have been a staple source of food and nutrition for millions of people. Worldwide.

“This special exhibition can help raise awareness of the virtues of millet in tackling food insecurity and support the transformation of our food systems around the world.”

Deep-rooted ancient traditions

Millet was among the first plants to be domesticated and is a traditional staple crop for millions of farmers in dry areas of Asia and Africa, with India being the top producer followed by Nigeria, Niger and China.

Millet, commonly called nutricereal Due to its high nutritional value, it is a rich source of dietary fiber, antioxidants, proteins and minerals.

They are weather resilient, tolerant of poor soils, drought and harsh growing conditions, and adapt to a variety of growing environments, without extensive fertilizer and pesticide requirements.

Millet as ‘smart food’

At the opening of the event, the Permanent Representative of India, Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, summed up the importance of these crops.

“Millet is more than just a food. It’s a smart food.”

“Millet is an incredibly versatile and hardy crop that can grow in a wide range of climatic and soil conditions, making it ideal for smallholder farmers in developing countries.”

In the context of a constantly growing world population that needs sufficient and healthy food, the increase in climate risks and the depletion of natural resources, Kamboj especially underlined its importance and relevance in the face of the crises and challenges surrounding today’s food security and nutrition.

Millet and the Sustainable Development Goals

Recognizing its extensive benefits, the general Assembly of the UN in its 75th session held in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millet.

“The Year provides an opportunity to highlight how the sustainable production, processing, marketing and consumption of millet can contribute to alleviating hunger,” said Mohammed, stressing that it can also “help us move forward in all areas of the Agenda 2030 of Sustainable Development.

“Promoting the crop by taking advantage of the potential of millet can improve the way of life of many small farmers, and actors along the value chain,” he added.

The International Year intends to contribute to the 2030 Agenda, in particular to Development Goal number 2, which promotes the eradication of hunger; 3, on health and well-being; 8, dedicated to employment and economic growth; number 12, which seeks responsible consumption and production; 13, which talks about the fight against climate change; and 15, which preserves life on the planet.

An appetizing solution

Sharing his experiences from his journey with millet from farm to table, Arun Nagpal, director and co-founder of the MRIDA group, pointed out that we often tend to feel that healthy products imply a compromise in taste.

“However, millet-based products, carefully crafted and combined with other ingredients, can add flavor and value to almost every kitchen in the world today,” he said. “From flours to cookies, to pizza, pasta, muffins, cakes, breakfast cereal, shakes and many more.”

He emphasized that millet need not be forced into our diet, but can also be easily integrated into existing style or pattern across ages and cultures, across cuisines and nations, and through dietary preferences.

The exhibit is located in the exhibition area at the entrance of the United Nations General Assembly building.