Ahmedabad, March 21 (NationPress) Highlighting the significance of millets in enhancing health and ensuring farmers' well-being, Gujarat's Agriculture Minister Jitu Vaghani kicked off the state-level ‘Millet Festival and Natural Farmer Market-2026’ at the picturesque Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad on Saturday.

“Millets symbolize not just food, but a pathway to a healthier lifestyle and the prosperity of farmers,” Vaghani asserted, pointing out their remarkable nutritional benefits and digestibility.

He mentioned that this initiative, introduced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the ‘Shree Anna’ campaign, aims to elevate public health nationwide.

Former Cooperation State Minister and State BJP President Jagdish Vishwakarma, along with Agriculture and Animal Husbandry State Minister Ramesh Katara, also attended the event.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel sent his best wishes through a video message, encouraging citizens to integrate ‘Shree Anna’ into their daily meals for a healthier Gujarat.

Discussing the festival’s outreach, Vaghani noted that under Chief Minister Patel’s leadership, awareness around millets is being spread across 17 major cities in the state.

He reminisced about 2023 being designated as the ‘International Year of Millets’ as part of Prime Minister Modi’s efforts.

The festival promotes the consumption of nutrient-dense millet varieties such as bajra, jowar, ragi, nagli, kan, and moriya.

Vaghani expressed his concerns regarding the increasing health problems linked to chemical farming and pesticide-laden grains.

“Shree Anna millets are fantastic for health, providing protection against severe conditions like diabetes and cancer,” he emphasized.

Moreover, he mentioned that over 800,000 farmers in Gujarat have embraced natural farming methods, with more than 2 million receiving training from the state government.

Millets are noted for their resilience, yielding well even in conditions with limited water and fertilizers, thus supporting climate resilience.

The Millet Development Scheme offers financial support for enhancing value addition and processing units.

The festival showcases over 700 stalls and exhibitions, giving farmers direct access to the market. Vishwakarma remarked on the increasing global recognition of millets.

“Prime Minister Modi has ensured that millets have gained international attention. At the G20 summit, delegates were served millet-based dishes,” he noted.

Last year, over 500,000 visitors attended the festival and its stalls.

The event allows citizens to purchase genuine millet products and enjoy a diverse array of nutritious meals.