The two-day National Conference on “Millets and Forgotten Foods: Reviving Traditions for Nutritional Security and Ecological Sustainability in Agriculture” and a Farmers’ Expo were held on March 21 and 22, 2025, at the College of Agriculture (Central Agricultural University, Imphal), Pasighat, in association with ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi.
A conference was held in Arunachal Pradesh to discuss the importance of millets and value-added millet products in food security and sustainable agricultural practices. Key stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and farmers, discussed innovative millet-based farming techniques, policy frameworks, and ecological sustainability. The event was inaugurated by Arunachal Pradesh’s Agriculture Minister, Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, who emphasized the state government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural policies and empowering young farmers. The Millets Processing Unit and Value Addition Lab, funded by ICAR-IIMR, was also inaugurated.
The National Conference-cum-Agri Expo at Pasighat, India, showcased the economic and nutritional benefits of millets, with over 2,000 farmers from various districts participating. The Farmers-Scientists Interaction Meet provided farmers with insights on sustainable farming methods and soil testing kits. The Farmers’ Expo featured stalls showcasing value-added millet products, indigenous varieties, and innovative farming tools. The event also marked the release of special millet publications and the launch of the MPMoS dashboard, promoting millet promotion and research initiatives.
