Shillong, June 14: As part of the International Year of Millets, 2023, the Directorate of Food Processing on Wednesday organised a special programme at Church of God (Ecclesia) Higher Secondary School, Mawlai Nongkwar to highlight on the importance of millets and millet-based products.
While speaking on the occasion, Officer on Special Duty (Directorate of Food Processing), Maqbool Lyngdoh Suiam said that the department is trying to encourage the farmers to take up plantation of millets in a big way due to its numerous health benefits.
He said that many of us have forgotten about millets and therefore there is a need to promote it.
Suiam said that the Directorate of Food Processing has taken up the responsibility to promote millets across all levels, especially among the youth to drive home the message of its long-term health benefits.
“We need this kind of initiative, since the young one is too exposed to fast food which is easier to prepare,” he said.
According to him, there are many recipes to prepare millets. Suiam said that it is time to shift to healthy foods.
The primary focus of the programme was to educate children aged between 5 to 7 years about the importance of proper nutrition during their crucial growing years. On the occasion, food packets of various bakery items were distributed among the school children.
Others present on the occasion include Assistant Director of Horticulture (FP), Mlek Defenderson Shadap and school principal, Shakila Jana.
In comparison to rice, millet contains 5 times more iron and 30 times more calcium, making it a highly nutritious grain for children. The Directorate actively distributed healthy millet products among the young attendees and equipped their parents with valuable information and recipes.
With an ambitious goal in mind, the Directorate aims to reach out to over 2,000 children in Phase 1 and introduce millets as a staple in their daily diets, promoting healthier eating habits and ensuring their overall well-being.
