Pasighat, Arunachal Pradesh – In a major push to promote sustainable agriculture and food security, the College of Agriculture (Central Agricultural University, Imphal) in collaboration with ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad, and ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources, New Delhi, hosted a two-day National Conference on “Millets and Forgotten Foods: Reviving Traditions for Nutritional Security and Ecological Sustainability in Agriculture.”
The event, held from March 21 to 22, 2025, also featured a Farmers’ Expo aimed at fostering knowledge exchange and advancing millet-based innovations.
The conference focused on reviving the cultivation of millets and value-added millet products, highlighting their role in ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across the Northeast Himalayan (NEH) region. It brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, and farmers, to explore innovative millet-farming techniques, policy frameworks, and ecological sustainability strategies.
Inaugurating the event, Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Minister Gabriel Denwang Wangsu, who served as the Chief Guest, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to strengthening agricultural policies. He emphasized the importance of empowering young farmers through training programs and sustainable development initiatives, positioning millets as a key component of future agricultural growth in the region.
A major milestone of the event was the launch of the Millets Processing Unit and Value Addition Lab, funded by ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad. This facility is expected to enhance post-harvest processing, improve the quality of millet-based products, and boost their commercial viability. Organizers highlighted that the initiative aims to provide direct support to millet farmers while fostering technological innovation in the sector.
Dr. B. N. Hazarika, Chairman of the Organizing Committee and Dean of COA, Pasighat, welcomed attendees and set the tone for the conference. His remarks were complemented by insights from Dr. Premaradhya, Assistant Professor & Chief Organizing Secretary, and Dr. Sangappa, Scientist & Convenor from ICAR-IIMR, who emphasized the increasing importance of millet cultivation in addressing nutritional security and climate resilience.
In a special video address, Dr. Anupam Mishra, Vice-Chancellor of CAU, Imphal, applauded the collaborative efforts between researchers and farmers in promoting millet-based innovations. Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director of ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad, provided an overview of the institute’s ongoing millet research and reiterated its dedication to advancing sustainable millet farming practices.
The conference also drew participation from a host of dignitaries, including Dr. A.K. Tripati, Former Director of ATARI Guwahati, and Tayi Taggu, Deputy Commissioner of East Siang, along with local political leaders like Tapi Darang, MLA of 38th Pasighat East, and Kaling Moyong, President of BJP Arunachal Pradesh. Each speaker underscored the economic and nutritional potential of millets and called for greater collaboration to mainstream millet cultivation in the region.
A key highlight of the event was the Farmers-Scientists Interaction Meet, where scientists from ICAR-IIMR engaged directly with farmers. The session provided practical guidance on millet cultivation, sustainable farming methods, and best practices for soil management. Soil testing kits were distributed, and live demonstrations were conducted to educate participants on improving soil health and maximizing agricultural productivity.
The Farmers’ Expo offered a vibrant platform for showcasing millet-based innovations. Stalls set up by Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) supported by ICAR-IIMR displayed a wide array of value-added millet products, indigenous millet varieties, and modern farming tools. The expo facilitated direct interactions between farmers, researchers, and industry experts, fostering knowledge exchange and market linkages.
The event witnessed an enthusiastic turnout, with over 2,000 farmers participating from districts across Arunachal Pradesh, including East Siang, Siang, Upper Siang, and Lower Dibang Valley, as well as neighboring areas like Dhemaji in Assam. Attendees engaged in discussions on eco-friendly agricultural practices and the role of millets in enhancing food security while preserving traditional farming methods.
Marking a significant step forward, the conference also saw the release of specialized millet publications and the launch of the MPMoS dashboard. This digital initiative aims to streamline millet promotion efforts and facilitate data-driven research, ensuring long-term sustainability and greater outreach for millet-based programs.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. Pavan Kumar Goudar, Assistant Professor & Organizing Secretary, expressed gratitude to all dignitaries, participants, and organizers for their collective efforts in making the conference a success.
The National Conference-cum-Agri Expo at Pasighat emerged as a pivotal event promoting millet-based agriculture and reviving forgotten food traditions. With active participation from farmers and agricultural experts, the conference highlighted the importance of sustainable farming methods in ensuring both nutritional security and ecological balance. The collaborative efforts between academic institutions, policymakers, and grassroots farmers signaled a promising step toward building a resilient and self-sufficient agricultural ecosystem in the Northeast region.
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