- Collab - lists.millets2023.space

"Teff Market 2021" & "Teff, A Rising Global Crop"
by Don Osborn 11 Feb '22

11 Feb '22

I'm looking at information on a report about the global market for teff: Global Teff Market Development Strategy Pre and Post COVID-19, by Corporate Strategy Analysis, Landscape, Type, Application, and Leading 20 Countries (360 Research Report, 27 April 2021) https://www.360researchreports.com/global-teff-market-18118305 & Teff Market 2021 : Corporate Strategy Analysis, Competitive Landscape, Definition, Future Development Status with Top 20 Countries Data (News Channel Nebraska Central, 27 July 2021) https://central.newschannelnebraska.com/story/44391472/teff-market-2021-cor… The actual report is extremely expensive unless one can get a sample copy... Among interesting tidbits (teasers) from the articles is a list of "Major Players in Teff market": * Conagra Brands Inc. * SHILOH FARMS * Amandin Organic Products * CERES ORGANICS * Tobia Teff, THE TEFF COMPANY * Love Grain * Mama Fresh Injera PLC * Bob’s Red Mill Natural Foods * PROBIOS S.p.A. Curiously, the list of countries covered does not include the main producers, Ethiopia and Eritrea. The US & Canada are the North American countries in this list. An academic article may complement the above in geographic focus and information: Hyejin Lee, 2018, "Teff, A Rising Global Crop: Current Status of Teff Production and Value Chain," The Open Agriculture Journal, 12: 185-193 https://openagriculturejournal.com/VOLUME/12/PAGE/185/FULLTEXT/

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Facebook & other social media
by Don Osborn 09 Feb '22

09 Feb '22

The Facebook group is getting more subscribers. How I see that working out is that while this list (Collab) can be used for planning, the FB group can be more open to diverse kinds of contributions. If it gets busy, however, I'm not sure that I'll have time to manage it alone. It may be worth considering a page on LinkedIn. There is a Twitter handle - @NAmericaMillets - but I'm not actively posting there. Best to all, Don

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Re: [Collab] Collab Digest, Vol 2, Issue 2
by D. Joni Kindwall-Moore 07 Feb '22

07 Feb '22

Can I reply to this? I will reach out to your primary as well. This is great work! ᐧ On Sun, Feb 6, 2022 at 4:00 AM <collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space> wrote: > Send Collab mailing list submissions to > collab(a)lists.millets2023.space > > To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit > https://lists.millets2023.space/mailman/listinfo/collab > or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to > collab-request(a)lists.millets2023.space > > You can reach the person managing the list at > collab-owner(a)lists.millets2023.space > > When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific > than "Re: Contents of Collab digest..." > > > Today's Topics: > > 1. North American Millets Alliance, and the concept of > "Alliance" (Don Osborn) > > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > > Message: 1 > Date: Sat, 05 Feb 2022 20:38:51 +0000 > From: Don Osborn <donosborn(a)protonmail.com> > To: "collab(a)lists.millets2023.space" <collab(a)lists.millets2023.space> > Subject: [Collab] North American Millets Alliance, and the concept of > "Alliance" > Message-ID: > > <nocfTEW6LpY1ULoOIHTUA1Wb5btFN3PghkAuSylv6YP2hApmTCfXWAyMYiczEEyzI9oDjAWj-VGPoV2JjUHgEPjzClMwvTBwEqll5tufxrY=@ > protonmail.com> > > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8" > > North American Millets Alliance (NAMA) is the name used by our ad hoc > group working on plans for the International Year of Millets in North > America. (This is our own initiative, and not with any connection to FAO, > which is the UN agency responsible for the IYM, or with any governmental or > parastatal entity within or outside North America.) > > NAMA as I see it is potentially an association of various people and > potentially organizations in the region who are connected with millets as > crops and/or food: > * growers > * processors & vendors > * producers > * importers > * marketers > * nutritionists > * agronomists > * researchers on any and all of the above > * activists & advocates > > The term "alliance" is used in relation to grains often with a "value > chain" connotation. NAMA does not have that focus, as I see it, being more > interested in networking and public education. > > The closest of the "alliances" that I am aware of, at least in the range > of audiences it address might be: > * Common Grain Alliance https://www.commongrainalliance.org/ . which > seeks to "connect grain farmers, regional millers, brewers, chefs, bakers, > and consumers to build a Mid-Atlantic grain value chain that serves > everyone." > > Similar groups include: > * Northeast Grainshed Alliance https://northeastgrainshed.com/ - "a > growing number of grain growers, processors, producers, organizations, > institutions, researchers, & the public; all key components of a regional > grain supply chain" > * Maine Grain Alliance https://kneadingconference.com/ - "We create > connections and share grain traditions and innovations from earth to table" > * And perhaps others? Further info appreciated.... > > Other "alliances" that appear to function more as trade or growers' > associations: > * Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance https://soyagrainsalliance.org/ - "a > national association of companies focused on production, processing and > shipping of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops and their related products > worldwide" (at least a couple of the companies listed have "millet" or > "teff" in the products they deal in) > * Kansas Wheat Alliance https://kswheatalliance.org/ - "a not-for-profit > organization that was founded in 2007 with the goal of maximizing value for > wheat farmers from new wheat varieties developed by Kansas State University > and other wheat-breeding programs" > > All of the above is just for background. It may be that some folks, on > hearing "Millets Alliance" might assume based on knowledge of organizations > like the above, that NAMA is linking farmers and producers, and perhaps > also consumers. That might be an interesting objective for this initiative > at some point, or perhaps for one or more other organizations, but it is > not the current aim of NAMA as I understand it. > > The immediate need addressed by NAMA, as I see it, is public education, > linking various "stakeholders" and experts involved with millets, and > perhaps some lobbying (e.g., for more precise labelling of millets included > in products). > > Don Osborn. PhD > East Lansing, MI, US > > * > > * >

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North American Millets Alliance, and the concept of "Alliance"
by Don Osborn 05 Feb '22

05 Feb '22

North American Millets Alliance (NAMA) is the name used by our ad hoc group working on plans for the International Year of Millets in North America. (This is our own initiative, and not with any connection to FAO, which is the UN agency responsible for the IYM, or with any governmental or parastatal entity within or outside North America.) NAMA as I see it is potentially an association of various people and potentially organizations in the region who are connected with millets as crops and/or food: * growers * processors & vendors * producers * importers * marketers * nutritionists * agronomists * researchers on any and all of the above * activists & advocates The term "alliance" is used in relation to grains often with a "value chain" connotation. NAMA does not have that focus, as I see it, being more interested in networking and public education. The closest of the "alliances" that I am aware of, at least in the range of audiences it address might be: * Common Grain Alliance https://www.commongrainalliance.org/ . which seeks to "connect grain farmers, regional millers, brewers, chefs, bakers, and consumers to build a Mid-Atlantic grain value chain that serves everyone." Similar groups include: * Northeast Grainshed Alliance https://northeastgrainshed.com/ - "a growing number of grain growers, processors, producers, organizations, institutions, researchers, & the public; all key components of a regional grain supply chain" * Maine Grain Alliance https://kneadingconference.com/ - "We create connections and share grain traditions and innovations from earth to table" * And perhaps others? Further info appreciated.... Other "alliances" that appear to function more as trade or growers' associations: * Specialty Soya and Grains Alliance https://soyagrainsalliance.org/ - "a national association of companies focused on production, processing and shipping of U.S. Identity Preserved field crops and their related products worldwide" (at least a couple of the companies listed have "millet" or "teff" in the products they deal in) * Kansas Wheat Alliance https://kswheatalliance.org/ - "a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2007 with the goal of maximizing value for wheat farmers from new wheat varieties developed by Kansas State University and other wheat-breeding programs" All of the above is just for background. It may be that some folks, on hearing "Millets Alliance" might assume based on knowledge of organizations like the above, that NAMA is linking farmers and producers, and perhaps also consumers. That might be an interesting objective for this initiative at some point, or perhaps for one or more other organizations, but it is not the current aim of NAMA as I understand it. The immediate need addressed by NAMA, as I see it, is public education, linking various "stakeholders" and experts involved with millets, and perhaps some lobbying (e.g., for more precise labelling of millets included in products). Don Osborn. PhD East Lansing, MI, US * *

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Three podcasts on millets
by Don Osborn 02 Feb '22

02 Feb '22

Here's a sampling of podcasts on millets that I've listened to recently: "Millets: The most powerful warriors against climate change and hunger" The Hindu, Business Line, 7 June 2021 (45:51) https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/multimedia/audio/millets-the-most-powe… "The UN has recently adopted an India-sponsored resolution to mark 2023 as the Year of Millets. In this episode of Field Notes TR Vivek is in conversation with Joanna Kane-Potaka, the Assistant Director general of ICRISAT and Prashant Parameswaran, founder, managing director and CEO of Tata Consumer Soulfull on why the much-neglected and forgotten millets are 'smart foods' that help us fight malnutrition and climate change at once." "Milk from Millet - Rainfed Foods" Vegan Startup Podcast, (no date, but from content seems it is late 2021 or January 2022) (38:17) https://veganstartuppod.com/blog/milk-from-millet "While working for a large dairy manufacturer, Sujala Balaji began to question just how sustainable the future of our food system really is. With over two decades of experience in the industry, it wasn’t long before she felt a strong sense of responsibility to make a difference. Now, Sujala is the cofounder and CEO of Rainfed Foods, an early-stage startup changing alternative dairy by tapping into the power of climate resilient crops such as millet. In this episode we chat more with Sujala about Rainfed’s mission and why millet, as well as the brand’s approach to marketing products, product development, and other projects." (NB- Ms. Balaji is based in Canada; the podcast is from Australia) "6 Myths About Millets: Busted" Narasimharaju Perumal Podcast, 7 May 2021:(4:43) https://anchor.fm/narasimharajuperumal/episodes/EP---008---6-Myths-About-Mi… "Do you want to clear off certain myths about millets and get started with it to get maximum health benefits? In this podcast, I am going to bust the top 6 myths about Millets. Here are the top 6 myths 1. Tasteless 2. Difficult To Cook 3. Lesser Varieties Of Dishes 4. Kids Don't Like 5. Digestion Problem 6. High Cost" (NB- there are a couple of other short podcasts on millets on this site) I'll try to follow with more such info, but if you have heard (or appeared on!) a podcast about a millet or millets, or in which these were mentioned, please post! DO

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Why the focus on North America?
by Don Osborn 02 Feb '22

02 Feb '22

The focus of this list is North America, for reasons I'll explain below, but membership is open to anyone interested in advancing millets in this region. The dozen or so cultivated millets originate from Africa or Eurasia, and they tend to be grown in the countries of those vast regions. They are less grown in the Americas. In North America. most production of millets goes to animal forage and feed. While that is often better than using irrigated crops for animals, it still leaves a great potential for food grade millets to receive more attention in agriculture. However, demand for millets as food for people is not yet high. In the US, only proso millet and teff are grown for food (and most of the production of these is as forage). However, food-grade millets are being imported, notably from major millets producing countries like India and China, and to a lesser extent, West Africa and Ethiopia. These are destined mainly for specialized international or "ethnic" markets. But they have the potential to expand to larger markets (and some companies are working on that). Millets have favorable nutrition profiles, and are gluten free. How might increased consumption of millets from abroad affect incentives for farmers and food processors in the region? Meanwhile, climate change may make millets, which generally perform well in challenging conditions (heat, low water) more attractive to farmers. This actually is happening already to a degree in the high plains. What happens with regard to millets in North America is not totally independent of what happens with them in the world at large, especially given that they are more important as crops and foods in several other regions. But the dynamics of millets here are worthy of focus.

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Website and a galleries of millets
by Don Osborn 02 Feb '22

02 Feb '22

I would like to post from time to time on various items of possible interest. First item is that there is a nascent website associated with this list - https://millets2023.space - which is intended as a working space for information sharing and collaboration on planning for the Year. Not ready for prime time (more to come), but bears mentioning as it's a pretty obvious jump from this list's address. Second is a set of collections of products made with millets, organized on the Pinterest site. I began this effort several years ago as a way to keep track of some photos. See: * Millets, plural - https://www.pinterest.com/drdonosborn/millets-plural/ * Foni & Teff: Africa's tiniest millets - https://www.pinterest.com/drdonosborn/fonio-teff-africas-tiniest-millets/ Don Osborn, PhD East Lansing, MI, US

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Don Osborn - intro
by Don Osborn 28 Jan '22

28 Jan '22

Greetings, Here's a quick self-intro, focusing on my history with millets (such as it is) and interest in the International Year of Millets (IYOM). Over the years, I have been employed several areas, including international development, where one of my specializations was agriculture. I've worked with farmers in West Africa who grew pearl millet and sorghum, however, I've done no extended work or formal research on those or other millets. I took a particular interest in millets beginning in 2015, but my personal history with these grains goes back four decades. (I'll take the opportunity to do a long version here, since it touches on many millets, but intros on this list can certainly be brief and concise) Like most Americans of my generation, I grew up with only a vague notion of "millet" as one minor grain often associated with bird food. It was in Togo with the Peace Corps that I was first introduced to "millet" as a food. That actually meant pearl millet, often called in the regional French, "petit mil." Among the other foods I encountered for the first time there were two other grains considered "millets" in the upcoming IYOM: sorghum (aka "grand mil") and fonio. Later, in Mali, I encountered a broader range of foods made with pearl millet and sorghum, and in Guinea, again ate a lot of fonio (altho possibly a different species). Along the way, I had teff in the form of injera in Ethiopia. Back in the US in 1987, I got some "millet" in the bulk section of a food coop, but it looked and tasted nothing like the pearl millet I had known in West Africa (It was proso millet, I later learned.) In the 1990s I first encountered foxtail millet in the form of Chinese congee. In 2010, I tasted finger millet for the first time in a non-alcoholic Ugandan beverage called bushera - quite tasty. In 2015. I finally came across pearl millet in the US. That was in an Indian foods store, where a package of flour called "bajri" looked familiar, but when the ingredients label just said "millet flour," I had to confirm the identity by web search. I found a number of other millets as well as sorghum in that and other markets (as grain, as flour, or in other products), and began cross-indexing some of these with my previous experience (above). I do actually try these products and have worked several millets into my diet. Over the ensuing years, I've written casually on the variety of millets and devoted attention to the range of products made with them, and to trends in their cultivation, use, and marketing.. When the proposal for the IYOM was first raised by India in 2018, I began to think about how such a year could - in addition to its primary aims to help smallholder farmers (including women) and improve nutrition in their families - be used to raise the profile of millets in the US and the whole of North America. And that led me to talk with others about how to actually make that happen. This email list is one tool to facilitate expanding that discussion. Don Osborn East Lansing, MI, US

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Wellcome to "Collab"
by Don Osborn 28 Jan '22

28 Jan '22

Welcome to "Collab," an email list for collaboration ways to use International Year of Millets (2023) to organize promotion of millets in North America. Information sharing, networking, idea generation, and plan development are all considered on topic. This list is intended for people with a range of professional and/or academic interests in millets as crops and/or food. The regional focus is North America, but subscription is open to anyone with a serious interest in these grains.. The focus on North America is intended to address the potential for growing various millets in the region, and for marketing millet products from North America and imported from abroad. Overall, this effort is intended to complement what is anticipated to be the major focus of the Year on regions where millets are already widely grown and consumed, often as staples. We all gain when there is wider appreciation of these diverse grains. We are asking that each subscriber post a self-introduction, telling us about their interest in and work with millets, and which ones. Don Osborn, PhD East Lansing, MI

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