Spearheaded by the Prime Minister, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront in celebrating the IYM. IYM2023 will be an opportunity to raise awareness and direct policy attention to the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions. The Year will also promote the sustainable production of millets, while highlighting their potential to provide new sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers. India, which also accounts for a fifth of the world’s millets production, the central government would be expected to do something different this year to promote these “nutricereals” — going beyond just spreading awareness.

World Trade Center Bhubaneswar and Millet Magic Foundation organized an Advanced Agriculture Conclave 2023 in association with Ministry of MSME, Government of India, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha, APEDA, Sammunati, SNM Group, Paradeep Phosphates Limited, OUAT and Odisha Millet Mission on 2^nd February 2023 at OUAT Premises, Bhubaneswar.

The conclave was subsequently organized to connect the FPC’s to the Millet-ary program which was earlier launched in January 2023.

"MILLET-ARY" will be a common platform for all the stake holders to connect for the said purpose of promoting millets. The fleet intends to work yearlong to create a complete value chain for 100 FPO and stakeholders of Millet and provide them with relevant assistance required.

"MILLET-ARY" will have advisors - Govt bodies, Scientists, Financial experts, Agriculturists, Marketers, Logistic solution providers, Compliance experts etc. from stakeholders such as APEDA, OUAT, Odisha Millet Mission, Micro Finance bodies, Department of Agriculture Government of Odisha.

Prof. P.K. Roul, Vice Chancellor, OUAT graced the occasion as Chief Guest where in his address he deliberated on the importance of enhancing the flavour of millets and making it further acceptable by different generations also he highlighted the impact on the agriculture pattern for increasing production of millets in line with its advantages to the climate change. He also deliberated on the health benefits of millets consumption.

Mr. Rajen Padhi, Founder EXIM Consultancy and Honorary Convener of WTC Bhubaneswar International Trade think tank spoke on the export opportunities in Africa and Gulf countries.

Dr. Pradipta Mohanty, Convenor, Agriculture Think Tank WTC & Chairman, SNM Group of Companies accentuated on the consumer awareness and market penetration through value addition. He also deliberated on profitable business model for millets and extended support for promotion of millets.

Dr. Rina Routray, Chairperson, Mahila Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan and Advisor, WTC Bhubaneswar Women Forum in her address highlighted the traditional importance of millets as far as the State of Odisha is concerned.

Ms. Shyama Jha, Founder, Millet Magic Foundation said "MILLET-ARY" will be a solution to every requirement for creation of value chain for millet. "MILLET-ARY” shall aim to provide a solution by linking to the right platform. Through Millet-ary platform at World Trade Center Bhubaneswar along with stake holders and advisors in millet will be addressed and people will get the right platform from growing of millet to putting various finished processed products in bigger markets. For the same the "MILLET-ARY" fleet would work all through the year 2023 and drive this project to a mega success.

Mr. Prabhakar Adhikari, Pragati NGO, Koraput ; Mr. Sukumar Dash, CEO, Krushijeevika Producer Company & Honorary Co-Convener, WTC Bhubaneswar A&FP Think Tank ; Mr. Tapas Chandra Ray, Chief Farm Advisor on Millets, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha ; Mr. Sita Kanta Mandal, Assistant Executive, APEDA ; Dr. M.R Sahu, Professor, AICRP on PHET, CAET ; Dr. D. Jena, Associate Professor, College of Community Science ; Mr. Vikash Pandey, MoFPI ; Dr. Subrat Biswal, Regional Director – Eastern Region, EDII ; Mr. Subas Sahoo, Assistant Director, MSME-DFO, Cuttack ; Dr. Anupan Gayen, Director, NSIC ; Mr. Kamal Sarangi, Chief Manager, State Bank of India Bhubaneswar also made their deliberations in the technical sessions.

Ms. Nimeshika Natarajan, Assistant Director, World Trade Center Bhubaneswar in her remarks shared that shall act as the facilitation body for promoting millets with OUAT to provide for the technical support system.

The session was followed by a highly interactive Q&A session.

While the technical sessions added much value to the program, the session witnessed huge participation of FPO’s, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders from the fraternity.