PIB Analysis 02-01-23

PIB Analysis 02-01-23

International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023

  • The proposal for International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023 was sponsored by the Government of India in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
  • ‘Millets’ were among the first crops to be domesticated in India and we have several evidence of its consumption during the Indus valley civilization.
  • They are grown in more than 130 countries at present, and are considered traditional food for more than half a billion people across Asia and Africa.
  • In India, millets are primarily a kharif crop, which require less water and agricultural inputs than other similar staples.
  • Millets are important by the virtue of its huge potential to generate livelihoods, increase farmers’ income and ensure food & nutritional security all over the world.
  • In April 2018, Millets were rebranded as “Nutri Cereals”, which was followed by the year 2018 being declared as the National Year of Millets.
  • On 6th December 2022, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, organized an opening ceremony for the International Year of Millets – 2023 at Rome, Italy.
  • Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs has planned 15 activities over 15 days in January which include engaging sports persons, nutritionists and fitness experts through video messages, conducting webinars on millets with leading nutritionists, dieticians and elite athletes, promotion amplification through Fit India App, etc.
  • Ministry of Food Processing Industries which will be organizing Millet Fair-cum-exhibitions in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.
  • FSSAI will organize Eat Right Melas in Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu etc.

 

108th Indian Science Congress

  • The first session of the Congress was held in 1914.
  • The focal theme of this year’s ISC is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment”.
  • It will witness discussions on issues of sustainable development, women empowerment and the role of science & technology in achieving this.
  • Children’s Science Congress will also be organised to help stimulate scientific interest and temperament among children.
  • Farmer’s Science Congress will provide a platform to improve the bio-economy and attract youth to agriculture.
  • Tribal Science Congress will also be held, which will also be a platform for scientific display of indigenous ancient knowledge system and practice, along with focusing on the empowerment of tribal women.