Caritas India was invited to share its knowledge on ‘Devdhan’ (millets) at the prestigious district-level Agriculture Development Conference and Exhibition in Amravati, Maharashtra. This five-day event, jointly organized by the Amravati District Administration, Agriculture Department, and ATMA (Agriculture Technology Management Agency), took place from February 15-18, 2025, at Schincescore Stadium, drawing farmers, experts, and policymakers from across the region.

The invitation extended to Caritas India stemmed from its extensive engagement with rural communities in promoting millets. On the second day of the conference, Dr. Mukund Deshmukh, Assistant Program Lead of Caritas India’s SAFBIN (BIP) program, delivered an insightful presentation during the inaugural technical session. His talk focused on the nutritional values of minor millets and improved cultivation practices, highlighting the organization’s deep understanding of these ancient grains.

Dr. Deshmukh’s presentation resonated with the audience as he emphasized the importance of recognizing and respecting indigenous food systems. He skillfully wove together the cultural significance of millets, traditionally revered as ‘Devdhan’, with their critical role in ensuring food and nutrition security for tribal communities. The presentation also touched upon the seven securities provided by minor millets: food, nutrition, health, fodder, livelihood, environmental, and climate change impact security.

Addressing the challenges in millet promotion, Dr. Deshmukh highlighted issues such as limited access to improved minor millet seeds, the need for research on millet seed varieties, and the necessity for post-harvest technologies. His candid discussion of these obstacles demonstrated Caritas India’s comprehensive approach to millet promotion, going beyond mere advocacy to address practical implementation challenges.

Ms. Archana Nistane, director of ATMA, Amravati, chaired the technical session and further underscored the impact of Caritas India’s work. She praised the organization’s contributions to eradicating malnutrition in the Melghat region and promoting minor millet cultivation among tribal communities. Ms. Nistane’s appreciation highlighted the valuable collaboration between government bodies and NGOs like Caritas India in advancing sustainable agriculture practices.

The agriculture festival featured over 200 exhibition stalls, showcasing farm produce and value-added products from farmers. Caritas India’s local partners set up minor millet stalls, offering a glimpse into tribal food systems, including millets and forest-based foods. These stalls provided knowledge resources on millets, their processing, and value addition, attracting public representatives, government officials, farmers, researchers, and students who appreciated the diverse displays.

Beyond this conference, Caritas India continues to champion millets across India through various programs. The organization recognizes the resilience, adaptability, and health benefits of millets, positioning them as a vital component of traditional diets and sustainable agriculture. Through initiatives in sustainable agriculture, food security, climate-adaptive farming, and community health, Caritas India is weaving millet promotion into the fabric of rural development.

The success of Caritas India’s millet promotion efforts is evident in their recent achievements. In the year 2023-2024, the organization expanded its millet promotion activities across 19 states, successfully mobilizing 10 different types of millets. This extensive outreach resulted in remarkable outcomes: 67% of households reported improved millet production, 43.4% of households began selling millets for income generation, and 29.3% of households started preparing value-added millet products. These statistics underscore the significant impact of Caritas India’s work in revitalizing millet cultivation and utilization across the country.

Caritas India’s holistic approach to millet promotion encompasses several key areas. In sustainable agriculture and food security programs, the organization works with farmers to integrate millet cultivation into their crop rotations, enhancing soil health and biodiversity. Climate-adaptive agriculture projects focus on millets’ drought-resistant properties, helping farmers build resilience against changing weather patterns.

The successful participation of Caritas India in this high-profile agriculture conference not only showcased their expertise but also reinforced the growing importance of millets in India’s agricultural landscape. As the country moves towards more sustainable and nutritious food systems, the insights shared by Caritas India at this event will undoubtedly contribute to shaping policies and practices that benefit both farmers and consumers alike.

By consistently promoting millets through its various programs and participating in influential events like the Amravati Agriculture Conference, Caritas India is playing a pivotal role in reviving these nutritious grains. Their efforts are not only preserving traditional agricultural practices but also paving the way for a more resilient and food-secure future for rural communities across India.