27 January2023, New Delhi: A high-level Indian delegation led by Additional Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Mr. Abhilaksh Likhi has arrived in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria today for taking South-South Collaboration and Cooperation on Millets to the next higher stage.
In a departure Statement to Nigeria for a four-day “Millet-Specific Visit” from 26th January to 29th January 2023, Mr. Likhi said, it comes in the wake of India kick-starting the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 on the very first day of this year with focused activities being undertaken by Central Ministries, State Governments/ UTs and Indian Embassies.
Mr. Likhi said, the High Commission of India in Abuja and the Consulate General of India in Lagos, as part of the promotion of IYM, have planned a Millets Food Festival and a Millets Food preparation competition during this high-level visit to Nigeria. The Millets Food Festival would be held at the High Commission premises and provide stalls for preparation with invitees including both Nigerian dignitaries and the Indian community.
Nigeria is the 2nd richest and most populous country of the 54 nations in the African continent and it could become a model of South-South Cooperation on Millets along with other Indian important Partners like Egypt, South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Angola, Ghana and Sudan to address the “lack of food security”, which remains one of the most formidable challenges facing the African continent.
Spearheaded by the Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront of celebrating the IYM. Mr. Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a ‘People’s Movement’ alongside positioning India as the ‘Global Hub for Millets’.
