Two-day event in Shillong promotes millet production

SHILLONG, Sep 5: A two-day event, ‘Promotion of Millets Production in India,’ organised by the North-Eastern Regional Agricultural Marketing Corporation (NERAMAC), a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), was inaugurated on Thursday at the Meghalaya Rongali Bihu Auditorium, Shillong. The event aimed to raise awareness about the benefits of millet consumption and encourage farmers to increase production.
The event featured stalls showcasing various millet products, including raw grains, ready-to-cook items, and ready-to-eat products such as millet malt, cookies, ladoos, and ragi namkeen. Farmers and entrepreneurs from Meghalaya, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh displayed a variety of products, impressing attendees with their versatility and nutritional value.
Around 200 participants, including millet farmers and entrepreneurs, took part in the event, which was supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
Adviser and Chairman of the Meghalaya Farmers Empowerment Commission, BK Sohilya, addressed the gathering, highlighting the need for increased awareness of millet production. He referred to millet as a “superfood” and emphasised the importance of marketing it as a premium product to maximise benefits for farmers. He commended NERAMAC’s efforts and called for greater collaboration among institutions to boost millet production.
The event also saw the attendance of Commodore Rajiv Ashok (Retd.), Managing Director of NERAMAC, M Iboyaima Meitei, Horticulture Adviser at the North Eastern Council (NEC), and Director of Agriculture, JC Lyngdoh.