Bhubaneswar,05/11/2024The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha is going to organize an International Symposium on Shree Anna & Forgotten Foods (ISSFF) at Lok Seva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar on the 10th and 11th of November 2024. The theme of the event is “Celebrating Shree Anna & Agricultural Heritage of Odisha”. Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, the Honourable Chief Minister of Odisha, will inaugurate the two-day event set to highlight the important role of millets and forgotten foods in food security and sustainable agriculture.
Forgotten food crops are important for dealing with climate change, supporting sustainable farming, and improving nutrition. Many of these crops can resist droughts and pests, making them ideal for sustainable agriculture. Odisha’s traditional foods are linked to these crops, which grow well in local conditions without much extra input
While addressing the media Deputy Chief Minister, Minister to Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment said that we need to add the millets and other forgotten foods in our diet. In this way, we can safeguard Odisha’s agricultural heritage and help the last-mile farmers and tribal people by providing them with livelihood and also leading a healthy life ahead.
The ISSFF 2024 will bring together different stakeholders such as Women’s Self-Help Groups (WSHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Policymakers, MSMEs, Research organizations, Health institutions, Hotel associations, Chef associations, Bloggers, Students, and Others to develop a roadmap for the promotion of Shree Anna and forgotten foods/neglected crops. ISSFF will focus on innovative and sustainable agricultural practices of farming communities, mainstreaming agro-biodiversity conservation, marketing opportunities, and policy perspectives related to Shree Anna and neglected crops/forgotten foods.
High-level dignitaries from national and international organizations like Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme (WFP) Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions (APAARI), ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute, ICMR-National Institute of Nutrition, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Revitalising Rainfed Agriculture Network (RRAN), Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Authority (PPVFRA) and others will participate in this one-of-its-kind event being organized by the Government of Odisha.
The symposium includes 11 sessions on a range of topics related to the cultivation, processing, and promotion of millets and neglected crops. Participants will gain insights into how Odisha can be transformed into the millet hub of India, and the global challenges associated with forgotten foods, and learn about the export potential and industry engagement for millets. Dedicated sessions on processing, organic cultivation practices, and community stories will ensure innovation and grassroots participation. The symposium will also celebrate the cultural significance of forgotten foods, with many participants set to share stories related to food, art, and culinary heritage.
In addition to the sessions, the event will have 9 stalls displaying the diversity and potential of neglected crops and innovative agricultural practices. These stalls will showcase forgotten crops, a variety of millets, pulses, seeds, leafy vegetables, and farm tools, providing an opportunity for participants to engage with both tradition and innovation in agriculture.
Further, a few publications will be launched during the event. These include an Awareness booklet for farmers on the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act (PPVFRA), Guidel…