THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Bengaluru/New Delhi, Jan. 7: Union Agriculture Minister Arjun Munda today said that Shree Anna plays an essential role in global food-nutrition security.
“It has been consumed in the country since ancient times, small and medium farmers have been self-reliant by growing it for themselves, while under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, awareness regarding food is now increasing, and whatever efforts can be made to promote it are being done continuously by the Government of India,” he said.
Shree Food and Organic International Trade Fair
Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-day Shree Food and Organic International Trade Fair held in Bengaluru, he said that on the initiative of the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations had recognised the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. “The Prime Minister named Millets as Shri Anna and has taken it to the national and global levels. There is an excellent opportunity in front of us to increase awareness in this regard and encourage consumption,” he added.
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Munda, also the Tribal Affairs Minister, said Prime Minister Modi wants all states to play a role because Shri Anna can provide many solutions. “Shree Anna is important in the context of water scarcity, climate-related challenges, and good health. Soil health also remains better with Shri Anna. Today, the world is returning towards vegetarianism, and in such a situation, Shri Anna is important. Farmers, FPOs, startups, educational institutions, etc., should contribute,” he said.
Agricultural research institutions
He expressed happiness that the agricultural research institutions of the Government of India are promoting Shree Anna.
“Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR) has been declared a Global Centre of Excellence. Many concrete steps have been taken to increase the consumption of Shri Anna, in which other states, including Karnataka, are participating,” he pointed out.
Food grains production
“Our efforts should be to increase the production of food grains, boost domestic consumption and continuously increase its demand in the world so that, ultimately, our farmers can benefit from it,” he said.
Munda said that the Government of India is also promoting organic farming in collaboration with the states; the government has started a scheme every year to certify the areas in the hills, islands, tribal or desert belts where agrochemicals have not been used.
Large area certification programme
The minister said a large area certification programme started from 2020-21.
“Under this, support has been provided for certification of the 14,445-hectare area in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 5 thousand hectare area in Ladakh, 2700 hectare area in Lakshadweep and 60 thousand hectare area in Sikkim and work has been done to advance the farmers,” he added.
Munda said this campaign has been continuously taken forward at the state level. “The government is also making efforts for growth in the northeastern region, where the Organic Value Chain Development Mission has covered an area of 1.73 lakh hectares,” he said
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivkumar was present at the ceremony. State Agriculture Minister C Swamy, Revenue Minister Krishna B. Gowda, MLAs, and other public representatives, officials, and farmers were also present.