Imphal: The College of Food Technology, Central Agricultural University, Imphal organised the “National Campaign on Poshan Abhiyan Celebration and curtain raiser program on International Year of Millets 2023” at the College premise Friday.
The program was graced by R K Nurbahan Singh, Academic in charge, College of Food Technology, CAU, Imphal and S. Tomba Singh, Assistant Registrar (Estt.), College of Food Technology, CAU, Imphal as Chief Guest and President of the function respectively.
The Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition or POSHAN Abhiyaan or National Nutrition Mission is the Government of India’s flagship programme to improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. Launched by Prime Minister Modi on the occasion of the International Women’s Day on 8 March, 2018 the POSHAN Abhiyaan directs the attention of the country towards the problem of malnutrition and addresses it in a mission mode.
The program was conducted as a gearing up for the 2023 year of the millets to spread awareness regarding the health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under tough conditions marked by climate change.
In his remark, the chief guest deliberated on the nutritional benefits of millets as a whole. He also mentioned the prospect of farmers’ income generation through the cultivation of this crop which of late has not been seen in the state.
Giving his speech, the president of the function narrated how millet used to be a common snack item in the past. He also mentioned the significance of organising such programmes in the present context.
As part of the programme, H. Dayanidhi Singh and Dr Angam Raleng delivered talks as resource persons. The program also raised awareness regarding the processing and value addition of the millets by the resource persons.
The programme concluded with the distribution of millet grains and millet-based bakery products to the farmers and women entrepreneurs present.
The function was also attended by the faculties and non-teaching staff of the college along with farmers and women entrepreneurs.
