Surat: With the aim of promoting millets and encouraging people to consume more nutritious millets and grains grown through natural and organic farming, the agriculture department and Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) are jointly organising a two-day district-level millets festival from Saturday at Vanita Vishram Ground.
The city event will be part of a statewide organisation of events, and similar fests are being organized in other cities as well.
The event will be inaugurated by chief minister Bhupendra Patel virtually. Around 60 natural farmers from south Gujarat will showcase and sell millet-based products through 75 stalls. Additionally, 15 food stalls will be set up to serve millet-based dishes. Visitors will have the opportunity to purchase various naturally grown agricultural products such as turmeric, finger millet (nagali), amba mor rice, dudh malai rice, barnyard millet (kodo), sorghum (jowar), jaggery, and honey.
“It is noteworthy that millets—such as bajra (pearl millet), jowar (sorghum), barley, ragi (finger millet), and rajgira (amaranth)—are highly nutritious and energy-boosting. They aid digestion and, when consumed regularly, help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes, colon cancer, and other severe diseases,” an official of the agriculture department said.
The millet fests have been organized in the city for the past couple of years, and after gaining popularity, they are now being organized on a larger scale.
“The products being put up for sale here are examined and certified by the agricultural department,” said an official.
