Bhubaneswar, Nov 7 : Odisha is scheduled to host a two-day International Convention on Millets (ICM) here on Thursday and Friday.
The ICM with the theme Millets – Ancient Grains for Modern Challenges is being organised with active involvement of local farmers, mothers, SHGs, entrepreneurs and many others.

Started in 2017, the Odisha Millets Mission was formed with goals to achieve a higher millet acceptance and to highlight the dietary benefits these crops have had since ages.
In Odisha, particularly, the tribal communities have kept these supergrains alive as they become an essential and sometimes their only source for survival. With a diverse millet profile and industry leading initiatives, Odisha Millets Mission aims to revive or rather realise the state’s millet potential.

With recognising 2023 as the International Year of Millets, the United Nations and the FAO have catapulted the demand and acceptance worldwide.
Keeping these factors in mind, the Odisha Millets Mission aims to leverage this attention towards what the future for millets look like and how much of an integral role millets would have in dietary requirements of the future generation.

The ICM will uphold its cultural roots with the tribal traditions considered as an integral part of the whole event. Showcasing tribal knowledge of millets and food systems to B2B roundtable conferences for enhanced linkages between FPOs and other organisations, the convention is likely to have significant effect on the policy makers with their decisions helping locals earn a better livelihood.
The technical and practical demonstrations for farmers, International Millet food festival, business sessions, art & culture programs and the presence of celebrities like Chef Vikas Khanna and three time Grammy winner Ricky Kej in the event will be the attraction of the ICM.