New postal stamp on International Year of Millets 2023

New postal stamp on International Year of Millets 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 18th March-2023, Saturday released the postal stamp and unveiled the official coin of the International Year of Millets 2023 as he inaugurated the two-day Global Millets Conference in the national capital.

He said, “I am proud that India is leading the ‘International Year of Millets’. Events like Global Millets Conference are not only necessary for Global Good but also a symbol of India’s increasing responsibility for Global Good.”

“It is a matter of great honour for us that after India’s proposal and efforts, the United Nations declared 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’. More than 75 lakhs farmers of India are virtually present with us in this ceremony today, which shows its importance,” he added.

It was on March 5, 2021, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM), accepting India’s proposal. Through this declaration, the UNGA aims to elevate awareness of nutri-cereals (millets) for food security and nutrition, enhance investment in R&D and extension, and inspire stakeholders towards improving production, productivity and quality of millets.

To take the momentum forward, India has taken a multi-stakeholder engagement approach by involving farmers, startups, exporters, retail businesses, hotel associations and various arms of the government in India and abroad to achieve the objectives of IYM 2023 and positioning India as the ‘Global Hub of Millets’