International Year of Millets (IYOM) - 2023
                     InternatioTnail tYelaer of Millets 
(IYOMSub)t i-t le2023
Introduction
A series of pre-launch events and 
init iat ives have been organized by the 
Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers 
Welfare as a run-up to the International  
Year of Mi l lets 2023 to create awareness 
and a sense of participation in the 
country around the ancient and forgotten 
golden grains.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Events Launched
Many events were launched such as 
‘ India's Wealth,  Mil lets for Health’ ,  Mi l let 
Startup Innovation Chal lenge, Mighty 
Mi l lets Quiz,  Logo and slogan contest etc.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
India's proposal
India's proposal  to observe an 
International  Year of Mil lets in 2023 was 
approved by the Food and Agriculture 
Organisation (FAO) in 2018 and the United 
Nations General Assembly has declared 
the year 2023 as the International  Year of 
Mi l lets.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Adopted by United 
Nations
This was adopted by a United Nations 
Resolution for which India took the lead 
and was supported by over 70 nations.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Objectives
1. Awareness of the contribution of mi l let 
to Food Security and nutri t ion.
2. Inspire stakeholders to improve 
sustainable production and qual ity of 
mil lets.
3. Focus on enhanced investment in 
research and development and 
extension services to achieve the 
other two aims.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
What is Millet?
Mil let  is a col lective term referr ing to a 
number of smal l-seeded annual  grasses 
that are cult ivated as grain crops, 
primari ly on marginal lands in dry areas 
in temperate, subtropical  and tropical  
regions.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Common millets
Some of the common mil lets avai lable in 
India are Ragi  (Finger mi l let),  Jowar 
(Sorghum), Sama (Litt le mi l let) ,  Bajra 
(Pearl  mil let),  and Variga (Proso mil let).
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Evidence
The earl iest evidence for these grains has 
been found in Indus civi l izat ion and were 
one of the fi rst plants domesticated for 
food.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Global Distribution
India, Nigeria and China are the largest 
producers of mil lets in the world, 
accounting for more than 55% of the 
global  production.
Source: www.drishtiias.com
Initiatives Taken by 
Government
1. Init iat ive for Nutrit ional Security through 
Intensive Mil let Promotion ( INSIMP)
2. Increase in Minimum Support Price (MSP): 
The government has hiked the Minimum 
Support Price of Mi l lets, which came as a 
big price incentive for farmers.
Source: www.drishtiias.com