Tanveer Hussain
Budgam, Sept 22: In a spirited display of unity for sustainable farming and healthier lifestyles, the Department of Agriculture, Sub-Division Beerwah, in collaboration with the Farmers Welfare Department Budgam, today organized a vibrant road show to promote millets under the National Food Security Mission – Nutri-Cereals.
The event was formally flagged off by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Beerwah, Mr. Tawfeeq Gazi, alongside Sub-Divisional Agricultural Officer (SDO) Beerwah, Mr. Fayaz Ahmad War, at the Agriculture Office Beerwah. From there, the rally proceeded through the main market, drawing enthusiastic participation and catching the attention of passersby.
Wide Participation from Farmers and Residents
The campaign witnessed the active participation of more than a hundred farmers from different parts of Sub-Division Beerwah. Local residents, youth, and shopkeepers also joined hands with the farmers, turning the road show into a collective awareness movement.
Participants carried placards and banners while chanting slogans in support of millet cultivation and consumption. Brightly colored posters with messages like “Say No to Junk, Yes to Millets” and “Millets for Climate-Smart Farming – Grow Millets, Save Water, Save Earth” served as powerful reminders of the nutritional and ecological benefits of these age-old grains.
Voices of Leadership and Inspiration Speaking to media during the rally, SDO Agriculture Beerwah, Mr. Fayaz Ahmad War, underlined the dual importance of millets “Millets not only provide healthy alternatives to junk food but also play a crucial role in water conservation and climate-resilient farming. They are less water-intensive compared to rice and wheat, making them ideal crops for our changing climate.”
War further emphasized that the Government of India’s Millet Mission under the National Food Security Mission – Nutri-Cereals has opened a new pathway for both farmers and consumers to rediscover the value of these superfoods.
Farmers Welcome the Initiative Keen to adopt the change, farmers praised the awareness programme. Ghulam Nabi, a farmer from Beerwah, said “This initiative is a great step. Millets are the future of sustainable agriculture. Awareness programmes like this motivate us to adopt them in our fields, ensuring better returns while also preserving resources.”
A local resident also shared his perspective “Such drives are not just for farmers but for society as a whole. They inspire us to make healthier dietary choices while supporting eco-friendly farming practices.”
Millet as the Grain of the Future The rally highlighted millets such as foxtail, pearl, finger, and barnyard millet as both traditional and future-ready crops. With the United Nations declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets, India’s efforts to popularize these “nutri-cereals” have gained nationwide momentum.
Experts reiterated that millets are packed with proteins, dietary fiber, and micronutrients. Their low glycemic index makes them especially suitable for people with diabetes and lifestyle-related diseases. Additionally, their resilience to drought and minimal input requirements make them an ideal crop for farmers.
Community Engagement and Lasting Impact
The road show concluded on a positive note, with participants pledging to cultivate and consume more millets. Organizers encouraged farmers to diversify their cropping patterns with nutri-cereals and urged households to adopt millet-based foods in their diets.
In his remarks, SDM Beerwah, Mr. Tawfeeq Gazi, assured participants of the government’s continued support through subsidies, training programmes, and marketing linkages to make millet farming both profitable and sustainable.
By the close of the event, one message resonated strongly: millets are not just crops of the past, but solutions for the future. They address challenges from malnutrition to climate change, while ensuring healthier lives and sustainable farming systems.
The Department of Agriculture, Sub-Division Beerwah, expressed gratitude to participants and pledged to organize similar campaigns in the future to strengthen millet awareness and adoption.
As the rally dispersed, the echo of slogans like “Grow Millets, Save Earth” lingered in the air—an inspiring reminder that small seeds can indeed sow the future of sustainable agriculture.
