Gujarat’s agricultural calendar is about to get a nutritious boost with the ‘Millet Mahotsav and Natural Farming Market’ spanning 16 cities on March 21-22. BJP spokesperson and Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani shared details from Gandhinagar, revealing a coordinated effort to spotlight millets under the banner of PM Modi’s visionary ‘Shree Anna’ drive.
Kicking off prominently at Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad with 85 stalls, the festival will simultaneously light up venues in Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, and 12 other urban hubs. Gujarat Agro Industries Corporation is behind this ambitious two-day program, where 620 stalls in total will showcase the best of millet-based products.
Free stall allocations to farmers, FPOs, and self-help groups cut out intermediaries, allowing direct sales that promise fairer returns. The event’s motto, ‘Dharti ka sona – Shree Ann apnayein, swasth jeevan paayein,’ resonates with the push for healthier lifestyles through ancient superfoods.
From millet product displays and culinary delights to tech innovations in farming and women-led ventures, the mahotsav offers something for everyone. Attendees can savor hot-off-the-griddle millet dishes and shop for grains, flours, snacks, and more.
‘Millets and natural farming go hand in hand,’ Vaghani noted. These drought-resistant crops flourish in low-input systems, perfectly suiting Gujarat’s organic farming ambitions. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel’s administration sees this as a key step toward doubling farmer incomes while preserving soil health.
With high-profile guests anticipated, the festival promises to be a feast for the senses and a platform for sustainable agriculture. As India eyes 2023 as the International Year of Millets, Gujarat’s initiative sets a benchmark for states embracing nutritional security.