First of its kind, MEC launched at Dilli Haat, Offers unique dining experience, besides an in-store shopping experience
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Rajbir Singh, Managing Director, NAFED, celebrated the opening of the first-ever "Millets Experience Centre (MEC)" today at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. The Millets Experience Centre was established by NAFED and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) with the intention of increasing public knowledge of millets and promoting their adoption.
The International Year of Millets (IYM 2023) was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in response to a proposal from India that received support from 72 nations. The declaration put India in the lead of the festivities, and the Indian government has been working in "mission mode" to promote millets as a crop beneficial to farmers, the environment, and consumers. Millets, also known as Shree Anna, would become more well-known as a nutritional powerhouse suitable for cooking a variety of dishes like Millets dosa and Millets pasta thanks to a ministry-led initiative to establish a consumer-focused "Millets Experience Centre." Customers can buy a selection of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products from nearby millet start-ups in addition to a unique eating experience.
Tomar commended India's energetic IYM 2023 celebration, which was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his inaugural speech. Shri Tomar emphasised the visionary initiatives of the Prime Minister, beginning with the declaration of the National Year of Millets in 2018 and continuing with the International Year of Millets (IYM), and said that India is on track to becoming a "Global Hub" for millets. A step in that direction, he continued, is the establishment of the MEC. The MEC will boost the local millets' global exposure and provide visitors an opportunity to experience India's "Millet Movement," he added. Located in the centre of Delhi, Dilli Haat is a national and cultural magnet for tourists from all over the world.
Tomar also emphasised that a wide range of events will be held throughout the year to raise awareness of the advantages of millet farming in terms of the environment, our health, and the economy.
The government-led measures for mainstreaming millets were also highlighted by Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. When discussing the partnership between NAFED and MoA&FW, he claimed that projects like the Millets Experience Centre would open up new possibilities for customers actively seeking out healthier substitutes and increase awareness of India's thriving millet-based start-up community. He also mentioned that more of these Millet Experience Centres would launch in the near future in Delhi and other states thanks to partnerships with retail chains, lodging facilities, and the food and beverage business.
Rajbir Singh, Managing Director, NAFED, praised the joint efforts by the MoA&FW and NAFED for the initiatives being undertaken for the promotion of Millets (Shree Anna) and execution of IYM-2023. He said that the Millets Experience Centre (Shree Anna) is a unique concept that will help in the recognition of the immense potential of millets (Shree Anna) as a versatile and healthy grain. He added that this MEC (Shree Anna) will enable the consumers to enjoy an expansive Millet menu and an ‘in-store’ shopping experience featuring a wide variety of millet-based products developed by home grown startups- all under one roof. He further said that the millets (Shree Anna)-based products will also be instrumental in promoting healthy snacking among customers, encouraging them towards adopting healthier millets-centric diets.
Tomar also emphasised that a wide range of events will be held throughout the year to raise awareness of the advantages of millet farming in terms of the environment, our health, and the economy.
The government-led measures for mainstreaming millets were also highlighted by Manoj Ahuja, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare. When discussing the partnership between NAFED and MoA&FW, he claimed that projects like the Millets Experience Centre would open up new possibilities for customers actively seeking out healthier substitutes and increase awareness of India's thriving millet-based start-up community. He also mentioned that more of these Millet Experience Centres would launch in the near future in Delhi and other states thanks to partnerships with retail chains, lodging facilities, and the food and beverage business.