Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare has said that the 160th session of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Council, currently underway in Rome, approved India’s proposal to observe an International Year of Millets in 2023.

In addition, the FAO Council also approved India’s membership to the Executive Board of the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) for 2020 and 2021.

Minister’s statement:

• This international endorsement comes in the backdrop of India celebrating 2018 as the National Year of Millets for promoting cultivation and consumption of these nutria-cereals.
• This is further supported by increase in Minimum Support Prices (MSP) of millets.
• Millets consists of Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and minor millets together termed as nutria-cereals.
• Through the Department of Food and Public Distribution, State Governments are allowed to procure jowar, bajra, maize and ragi from framers at MSP.

About FAO –

• The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.
• Headquarters: Rome, Italy
• Founded: 16 October 1945
• Goal of FAO: Their goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.

FAO Council –

• Origin: Established by the Conference at its Third Session (1947) to replace the original “Executive Committee of FAO” in accordance with a recommendation of the Preparatory Commission on World Food Proposals.
• Purpose: The Council, within the limits of the powers, acts as the Conference’s executive organ between sessions.
• It exercises functions dealing with the world food and agriculture situation and related matters, current and prospective activities of the Organization, including its Programme of Work and Budget, administrative matters and financial management of the Organization and constitutional matters.