RICH IN HERITAGE, FULL OF POTENTIAL.

International Year of Millets 2023

Dear colleagues,

We are happy to provide you with some exciting updates on the International Year of Millets (IYM). Please share them with your networks!

IYM PHOTO CONTEST

*Deadline 31 October 2023*

Help us to spread the word! Use the information below to pass it along to your networks and share the social media assets on your channels.

International Year of Millets Photo Contest

Deadline 31 October 2023

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO HERE

For professional or amateur photographers, millets growers, enthusiasts and advocates!

Join the International Year of Millets Photo Contest and spread the word about the many benefits of millets, from their diversity to the variety of nutritious dishes they can produce, their ability to thrive on arid lands, and their market potential.

Photographs will be selected by an international professional jury, including the Magnum Photos Editorial Director.

The first prize winner of the photo contest will be invited to the official closing ceremony of the International Year of Millets in 2024.

All 5 winners will be promoted on FAO social media and partner websites and will receive a certificate of recognition and a surprise gift bag.

For more information, please contact: International-Year-Millets@fao.org

SUBMIT YOUR PHOTO HERE

IYM 2023 Webinar series

S A V E  T H E  D A T E

5 September 2023 | 14:00-15:00 CEST

International Year of Millets Global Webinar Series

3rd Webinar: “Climate resilience of millets”

REGISTER HERE

The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). As part of the IYM2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a “IYM Global Webinar Series” to shed light on the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and their vast potential.

Millets can be grown in high temperatures and with little water, and are known to yield grain when other staple crops fail in extreme weather. This means millets can help stave off food insecurity as the climate becomes more erratic while the sustainable cultivation of millets can support climate-resilient agriculture and decent employment opportunities.

Join this webinar to learn more about the climate resilience characteristics of millets, the FAO Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) modelling framework developed for millets and farmers’ experience in growing millets in drylands.

AGENDA

Time	Agenda item and presenter
14:00–14:05	Opening remarks by Mr Ravi Khetarpal, Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institution (APAARI)
14:05-14:15	Climate resilient characteristic of millets by Ms Damaris Odeny, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Kenya
14:15 –14:25	Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZ) modelling framework and millets by Mr Matieu Henry / Ms Federica Chiozza, FAO Land and Water Division
14:25 –14:35	Millets production in dry zone areas by Ms Megha Desai, Self employed women’s association (SEWA), World Rural Forum
14:35 –14:55	Q&A session
14:55 –15:00	Closing remarks by Mr Fenton Beed, FAO Plant Production and Protection Division

The webinar will be moderated by Mr Fenton Beed, Agricultural Officer, FAO

Stay tuned for the upcoming IYM 2023 webinars:

• 19 September 2023 14:00-15:00 CEST – Opportunities for processing millets

For more information, please contact: International-Year-Millets@fao.org

S A V E  T H E  D A T E

19 September 2023 | 14:00-15:00 CEST 

International Year of Millets Global Webinar Series

4th Webinar: “Opportunities for processing millets” 

Language: English and French

REGISTER HERE

The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). As part of the IYM2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a “IYM Global Webinar Series” to shed light on the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and their vast potential.   

Millets are an important option to diversify agrifood systems and to adapt to changes in climate, especially in the drylands where many of the world’s most vulnerable populations reside. Millets are diverse, adapted to arid environments, require minimal external inputs, and thus provide small-scale farmers with opportunities for sustainable crop production systems suited to their specific environments. Millets are nutritious and to satisfy varied consumer demands there are significant prospects for value chain entrepreneurs to harvest, process and market a range of nutritious products.   

Join this online seminar to hear insights from the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) and to learn how to establish value chains for millets, from seed to table, including creation of consumer demand, through practical experiences from Italy and India. Burkina Faso will share knowledge on how to reduce crop losses by piloting innovative mechanization tools. Following speaker presentations there will be an interactive discussion to provide participants with a platform to ask questions and share experiences.

AGENDA

Time	Agenda item and       presenter
14:00–14:05	Opening remarks by Mr Aggrey Agumya, Executive Director, Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
14:05-14:15	Millets and sorghum value chain developed from seed to table by Ms Marina Braida, Dr. Schär, Italy
14:15 –14:25	Burkina Faso case study on losses in sorghum and piloted mechanized tools by Mr Souleymane Traore, Agriculture engineer, FAO, Burkina Faso
14:25 –14:35	Successful processing practices of millets in India by Ms Shauravi Malik, Co-Founder at Slurrp Farm
14:35 –14:55	Q&A session
14:55 –15:00	Closing remarks by Ms Ana Islas Ramos, Nutrition officer, FAO

The webinar will be moderated by Ms Ana Islas Ramos, Nutrition officer, Food and nutrition division, FAO

For more information, please contact: International-Year-Millets@fao.org

IYM 2023 website

*New page*

• IYM in the media - this page features important news articles from different regions, a multimedia section including videos, a podcast, photos, a dedicated Q&A with Fenton Beed, the social media conversation, influencers, and more. 

*My Story*

• Inspiring stories about millet heroes engaged in production, processing, research and development and raising consumer awareness about nutritional benefits of millets from all regions.

*Global Chef Challenge*

• Millets are so diverse in taste, and in the variety of products and recipes they produce. Rich in heritage, there are endless ways to prepare and enjoy these nutritious grains. Check out the recipes suggested by international chefs and hobby cooks and bon apetit!

#IYM2023 Podcast is live!

It features valuable insights from experts such as Vilas A Tonapi from the Indian Institute of Millets Research, Makiko Taguchi from FAO, and Chef Fatmata Binta, a millet enthusiast. The podcast is available in both English and Spanish. Don't miss it!

Millets - rich in heritage, full of potential This International Year of Millets 2023, let's journey through time and continents, tracing the history and potential of this small but powerful grain. · Apple podcast · Spotify · Soundcloud  · Audiogram

El mijo: un patrimonio nutritivo, un horizonte de posibilidades En el Año Internacional del Mijo 2023, viajemos a través del tiempo y continentes, trazando la historia y el potencial de este pequeño pero poderoso grano. · Apple podcast · Spotify · Soundcloud · Audiogram

When promoting the #IYM2023, make sure to use the official hashtags and material from the Trello Board, which is being populated each week with new social media material.

Thank you for your continued support and for sharing this information within your networks.

Our team is always available to discuss any ideas you have. For any queries, please write to International-Year-Millets@fao.org.

Warm regards,

The IYM Secretariat