Team Blitz India
NEW DELHI: The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) hosted the Millets FPO Exhibition for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)’ at the BSF Camp on October 6. This event was aimed to encourage the adoption of millets, known as shree anna, as a part of the nutritious diet for the paramilitary forces.
Over 30 farmer producer organizations (FPOs) from all-over the country participated in the exhibition, showcasing various variety of millet-based products like raw millet grains, ready-to-cook (RTC) items, and ready-to-eat (RTE) products.
The exhibition was inaugurated by Faiz Ahmad Kidwai, Additional Secretary, DA&FW, along with the presence of Maninder Kaur, Additional Secretary, DA&FW, and Shubha Thakur, JS (Crops), DA&FW.
Kidwai highlighted the significant role played by over 75,000 FPOs in supporting small-scale farmers and facilitating vital market connections. He particularly commended the 34 millet FPOs from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana, emphasizing their dual role in showcasing the diverse range of millet products in the country and establishing direct procurement links with CAPF canteens and departmental stores.
The exhibition served as an excellent platform for FPOs to interact directly with armed forces personnel and their families, introducing them to an array of homegrown, millet-based products. Furthermore, procurement officers and chefs/cooks from the armed forces had the opportunity to explore the diversity of products and establish potential procurement arrangements with FPOs for their respective units.
