India (Commonwealth Union)_ Union Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shobha Karandlaje, expressed delight as she announced the forthcoming visit of women farmers to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute. These accomplished women farmers are set to demonstrate the intricacies of millet farming to the spouses of G20 leaders on September 9. For the first time, India has the privilege of hosting G20 events across its diverse regions, with the Institute of Agricultural Research serving as the venue for an enlightening agricultural showcase. Minister Karandlaje enthusiastically remarked, “The spouses of G20 leaders will come to the Institute of Agricultural Research. We are going to show them how we have advanced in the realm of agriculture.”
Further detailing the agenda, Karandlaje revealed that, following their arrival, the esteemed guests would be escorted to the millet fields. She elaborated, “First, we will receive them here, and then we’ll proceed to the millet fields to demonstrate our millet cultivation techniques.” Notably, India stands as the foremost exporter of millet to the global market. In an attempt to foster meaningful exchanges, farmers hailing from the ten primary millet-producing states will engage in dialogues with the spouses of G20 leaders. Karandlaje confirmed, “We have extended invitations to farmers from 10 major millet-producing and exporting states to have conversations with the spouses of the G20 leaders”.
These female farmers have been selected from remote villages spanning eleven millet-producing states: Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Assam. Shobha Karandlaje lauded the fact that the upcoming G20 Summit would be convened under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi. Explaining on the program, she mentioned that live cooking sessions would be a prominent feature, with millet-based dishes taking center stage. A diverse culinary experience, encompassing both Indian and continental cuisines, would be offered to the G20 leaders in attendance.
More than twenty women farmers, originating from remote villages, are poised to share their valuable insights and expertise in millet farming with the spouses of G20 leaders during their visit to the Indian Agriculture Research Institute. These remarkable women represent the vanguard of a movement aimed at revolutionizing millet cultivation in their respective regions. This select group of women farmers has been specially invited by the central government to impart their knowledge about millets during a curated tour organized for the first ladies and spouses of the G20 leaders. The event is scheduled to take place at the sprawling 1,200-acre Pusa-IARI campus on September 9.
India has taken a pioneering role in championing the cause of millets, culminating in the adoption of a resolution designating 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM), garnering support from 72 members of the United Nations General Assembly. The women farmers chosen for this exhibition exemplify the grassroots transformation taking place. These dedicated individuals, among them tribal homemakers and university graduates with distinguished careers, are not only cultivating millets but also encouraging their communities to harness the socio-economic potential of this crop. Each of their stories serves as an inspirational testament to resilience and innovation.
