The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). FAO is the lead agency for celebrating the Year in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders.

FAO will launch the International Year of Millets 2023 International Year of Millets 2023 (IYM) at a hybrid event at the agency’s headquarters on 6 December, 12:30-14:00 (CET).

The Year will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the nutritional and health benefits of millets and their suitability for cultivation under adverse and changing climatic conditions while directing policy attention to their sustainable production.

Millets encompass a diverse group of cereals including pearl, proso, foxtail, barnyard, little, kodo, browntop, finger and Guinea millets as well as fonio, sorghum (or great millet) and teff and is an important source of nourishment for hundreds of millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. They are deeply rooted in Indigenous Peoples’ culture and traditions and help guarantee food security in areas where they are culturally relevant.

Millets can grow on arid lands with minimal inputs and are resilient to changes in climate. They are therefore an ideal solution for countries to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported cereal grains.

Along with promoting the sustainable production of millets, the Year will also highlight their potential to provide new sustainable market opportunities for producers and consumers.

The hybrid launch event will be webcast and can be followed here.  Register here for the event.