Gandhinagar (Gujarat) [India]: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has long championed the nutritional and agricultural benefits of coarse grains, commonly known as millets, highlighting their importance in a healthy diet and sustainable farming. His advocacy played a key role in the United Nations declaring 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets,’ according to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, Gujarat is actively promoting the consumption and cultivation of millets. As part of this initiative, the state will host the “Millet Mahotsav and Prakrutik Farmer Market 2025” on February 8-9, 2025.
According to the CMO statement, the two-day festival aims to encourage millet-based products and natural farming practices. The event will take place across seven municipal corporations: Ahmedabad, Jamnagar, Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Surat, Bhavnagar, and Rajkot, with the main venue at the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad. Chief Minister Patel will inaugurate the festival in Ahmedabad on February 8 at 12:15 PM, alongside Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel and Minister of State for Agriculture Bachubhai Khabad.
The event is expected to attract 1,000 millet and natural farming FPO farmers, renowned NGOs, and urban consumers, with an estimated 25,000 to 30,000 visitors at the state level. Additionally, at the district level, around 500 farmers and experts will participate, drawing 20,000 to 25,000 visitors per venue.
Running from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM, the festival will serve as a dynamic platform for farmers, agricultural experts, businesses, and consumers to explore the growing potential of millets and natural farming.
Key Highlights of Millet Mahotsav 2025
- Exhibitions: The festival will showcase 125 state-level and 75 district-level stalls, displaying millet-based products, organic farming techniques, and natural agricultural produce.
- Product Stalls: At the state level, 100 stalls will be dedicated to millet and organic products, while 60 stalls will be set up at the district level. Additionally, 25 live food stalls at the state level and 15 at the district level will serve millet-based dishes.
- Expert Panels & Live Demonstrations: Agricultural scientists will conduct discussions on topics such as the benefits of millets, value addition in millet crops, natural farming methods, organic certification, and food processing techniques. There will also be live demonstrations of millet-based cooking and natural farming practices.
- Cultural Engagement: To enhance visitor experience, cultural programs will be held from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM, featuring live bands, mascots, entertainment zones, henna art, a game zone, and puppet shows.
With a growing focus on sustainable agriculture, Millet Mahotsav 2025 aims to promote millets as a nutritious, climate-resilient alternative to conventional grains. As Gujarat continues to lead in agricultural innovation, this festival is expected to boost farmer incomes, increase consumer awareness, and advance India’s goal of achieving nutritional security through millets.