Ms. Joanna Kane-Potaka is the Assistant Director General (External Relations) & Executive Director, Smart Food at International Crops Research Center of the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, Telagana. To know more https://bit.ly/3iery2F https://bit.ly/2SchEpA
Ms. Joanna Kane-Potaka says millets are classified as smart foods because of their characteristics of being good for you (healthy and nutritious), good for the planet (low environmental footprint) and good for the farmer (climate smart and resilient). Yet they have been less supported, consumption reduced, and value chain development has been minimal. In March this year the UN unanimously approved 2023 to be the International Year of Millets, a proposal led by the Government of India. Millets have been gaining a lot more attention and 2023 is expected to be the turning point for the industry. The time is now to prepare to be able to fully leverage this opportunity. Millets and sorghum were the staples in many of the countries in Africa and parts of Asia. They also fit some of the biggest global health food trends – of being a super food, ancient grain, gluten free, low GI, high fiber, good levels of protein and good for weight loss.