Dindori, Madhya Pradesh | 30 August 2026:

A World Millets Day Awareness Programme was organised at Sandipani Vidyalaya, Amarpur, District Dindori (MP) under the aegis of the Regional Agricultural Research Station (RARS), Dindori, a unit of Jawaharlal Nehru Agricultural University, Jabalpur. The programme was conducted as part of the wider observance of World Millets Day, focusing on awareness, millet exhibition and student engagement.

Dr. Manisha Shyam, Senior Scientist and In-charge, RARS Dindori, addressed the gathering and highlighted the nutritional value, health benefits and importance of millets such as Kodo, Kutki, Ragi, Jowar and Bajra. She explained that millets are well suited to changing climatic conditions and can play an important role in addressing malnutrition and strengthening nutritional security. She also spoke about the traditional importance of Shri Anna in Dindori district and its growing recognition as a nutritious food globally.

As part of the event, an exhibition of different millet crops and value-added products was also organised. Students and teachers were given practical information on various millet varieties, seeds and millet-based food products, helping them better understand the importance of millets in daily life and sustainable food systems.

The programme was presided over by Mr. Pradeep Kumar Surin, Principal, Sandipani Vidyalaya, along with Mr. Ashok Kumar Yadav, Vocational Teacher (Agriculture) and other faculty members. A total of 125 participants, including 16 faculty members and 109 students, took part in the programme.

The awareness initiative successfully created greater understanding among students and teachers about the nutritional, health, climate-resilient and economic importance of millets, while also encouraging millet adoption and consumption. The programme reflected the growing response to World Millets Day and the increasing importance of millet awareness at the grassroots level.