Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Congratulates Agriculture Department for Millet Promotion Award
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Congratulates Agriculture Department for Millet Promotion Award
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 3: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has congratulated the state agriculture department for receiving a prestigious certificate of appreciation for its exceptional work in promoting millets during the International Year of Millets-2023 (IYOM-2023). The award was given by the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the award was a result of the department's efforts in promoting millets, building momentum for these ancient grains, and raising awareness about their immense nutritional, economic, and ecological benefits. The state government is promoting millet cultivation on a large scale and educating people about their health benefits.
A spokesperson from the Agriculture Department stated that 2023 was designated as the International Year of Millets to highlight their benefits, including nutrition, health, environmental sustainability, and economic development. Millets are affordable, nutrient-rich, and can thrive in diverse, adverse climates with minimal inputs.
To promote millet cultivation, the Agriculture Department organized various activities such as millet-based camps, fairs, festivals, and exhibitions. They provided technological inputs and established market linkages to motivate farmers. Key initiatives included distributing seeds and mini kits, training programs, and farm gate sales of millet products. Informative literature on millet cultivation and recipes was also distributed.
As a result, millet crops were cultivated across all districts of the state, covering an area of 1,526 hectares with a total production of 983 metric tonnes. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare recognized these efforts and awarded the department.
Agriculture Minister Prof. Chander Kumar commended the farmers for their dedication to millet cultivation. Secretary of Agriculture, C. Paulrasu, and Director of Agriculture, Kumad Singh, encouraged the farming community to continue enhancing millet production, focusing on varieties like Finger Millet, Kodo Millet, Foxtail Millet, Barnyard Millet, and Little Millet.
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Himachal Pradesh
Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and cool weather.
Chief Minister
A Chief Minister is the head of the government in an Indian state, similar to a principal in a school but for the whole state.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the current Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, which means he is the leader of the state government.
Agriculture Department
The Agriculture Department is a part of the government that helps farmers grow crops and take care of their farms.
Millet
Millet is a type of grain that is very healthy and can be used to make food like roti and porridge.
Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
This is a part of the Indian government that helps farmers and looks after farming activities all over the country.
International Year of Millets-2023
The International Year of Millets-2023 is a special year declared by the United Nations to promote the growing and eating of millets around the world.
Hectares
A hectare is a big piece of land, about the size of a football field, used to measure areas of farms.
Metric tonnes
A metric tonne is a unit of weight, like kilograms but much bigger. One metric tonne is 1,000 kilograms.
Agriculture Minister
The Agriculture Minister is a person in the government who is in charge of farming and helping farmers.
Prof. Chander Kumar
Prof. Chander Kumar is the Agriculture Minister of Himachal Pradesh, responsible for farming activities in the state.
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