Millets, the miracle grains from the Southern drylands, Western and Eastern plains, North Eastern and Northern uplands of India connected the farmers, scientists, activists, media persons and researchers from different states of India during the 1st annual convention of All India Millet Sisters (AIMS) Network. This convention was organised by Millet Network of India in collaboration with North East Network and ICAR-NEH, Meghalaya at Umiam premises of ICAR-NEH, Shillong, Meghalaya from May 23-24, 2018 to address the Current Concerns, Challenges & Some Silver Linings of Millets. The logo of the AIMS Network was jointly unfurled by the women farmers of 12 states of Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, & West Bengal. During this convention 16 women millet farmers were felicitated by eminent women leaders, journalists and activists from different parts of India. After 2 days of intensive deliberations on the multi-dimensional understanding of millets from the experiences of millet producing farmers, agro-scientists, millet marketing agencies, women’s collectives, and state functionaries engaged in millet promotion, convergence of some ideas emerged. The deliberations were steered by NGO leaders, experienced farmers and community activists along with the field scientists from ICAR-NEH, and few government functionaries. The interactive interface between farmers on the ground, policy framers and field scientists was effectively engaging. At the end of the 2 day convention, a declaration was collectively charted out to ensure that the demands of the women farmers specifically engaged in the millet based eco-system is taken into necessary action by the concerned stakeholders.
UMIAM DECLARATION OF MILLET SISTERS
from
1st Annual Convention of All India Millet Sisters (AIMS) Network
May 23-24, 2018
Dr D N Borthakur Conference Hall, ICAR-NEH, Umiam,
Shillong, Meghalaya
In association with:
Millet Network of India
North East Network
ICAR-NEH, Meghalaya
Having met and discussed, MILLETS: Current Concerns, Challenges & Some Silver Linings at the ICAR-NEH, Umiam, Meghalaya on May 23-24, 2018, we the millet sisters, civil society groups, scientists, activists and environmentalists from 12 states -- Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, & West Bengal have resolved on the Umiam Declaration of Millet Sisters.
1.
We demand that the government acknowledges that millets are our heritage crops, multifaceted in their extraordinary food value, and in providing nutrition, fodder, livelihood and ecological security in these climate-stressed times.
2.
The government should support the millet-based biodiverse agriculture practised by milllions of small women farmers who are custodians of India’s rich lore of millet farming practices.
3.
Given the shocking burden of malnutrition among children in India, which is the highest in the world, the government should give primacy to the use of millets in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS)and Mid-Day-MealScheme. This would ensure a healthy new generation.
4.
Millets should find a definite place in its Public Distribution System (PDS) so that India can escape the ignominous place among the malnutrition countries in the world.
5.
Commission on Agricultural Cost Prices should fix the price of millets taking into consideration their nutritional and ecological values.
6.
To support women millet farmers, the government should:
a)
Help women’s collectives to set up affordable processing units to reduce the drudgery of millet processing;
b)
Ensure procurement of millets at the MSP fixed by government
c)
Also set up, community-based procurement centres that are easily accessed and controlled by women cultivators.
d)
Include millet farming as a guaranteed MGNREGS work to support employment of farmers in millet farming.
7.
Crop insurance and compensation schemes for crop damage should be enlarged to include all varieties of millets at par with other crops.
8.
Government should utilise its public media network to promote awareness of the nutrtional value of millets among consumers specially since this is the National Year of Millets. This should include popular programmes on millet recipes.
9.
We demand support for research that establishes the scientific values of our traditional knowledge on millet cultivation.
10.
We demand that Indian Institute of Millet Research stop hobnobbing its research on genetic modification of millet crops and instead focus on the enormous wealth of women’s knowledge on the millet ecology.
11.
We call upon all agricultural research institutions to work on the economic valuation of millet ecology in their academic and research programmes.
12.
We greatly appreciate the fact that government has recognised the signal contribution of peasant women farmers and bestowed honours on them. We would be more honoured if the government implemented our demands listed here to ensure a more secure future for us and the nation at large.
Endorsements from:
1.
Ms Saraswati, SABALA, Vizianagaram District, Andhra Pradesh
2.
Ms Suseela, Millet Sister,Mamidipalem, Visakhapatnam,Andhra Pradesh
3.
Ms K. Narayanamma, Millet Sister,Kothavalasa, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
4.
Ms I. Maheswari, Millet Sister,Pedabayalu, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
5.
Ms T. Kamala Kumari, Millet Sister,Vepada, Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
6.
Mr Jogi Naidu, SVDS, Anakapally, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
7.
Dr Monisha Behal, North East Network, Guwahati, Assam
8.
Ms Moon Bora, North East Network, Assam
9.
Ms Usha Lakra, North East Network, Assam
10.
Ms Anurita Pathak, North East Network, Assam
11.
Mr Ritupon Gogoi, FST, Guwahati, Assam
12.
Mr Tushar Pancholi, Paryavaran Vikas Kendra, Gujarat
13.
Mr Anil Barot, Millet Sister Rajkot, Gujarat
14.
Ms Nita Boart, Millet Sister, Rajkot, Gujarat
15.
Ms Khatija Akbar, Millet Sister,Rajkot, Gujarat
16.
Mr Nekram, LVK, Nanj Teh, Kassag, Himachal Pradesh
17.
Ms Ramkali, Millet Sister, Nanj Teh, Kassag, Himachal Pradesh
18.
Ms Shivamma Millet Sister, Yadgir district, Karnataka
19.
Ms Jayamala, Millet Sister, Yadgir district, Karnataka
20.
Mr Yadaiah, PRAG JOTHI, Yadgir district, Karnataka
21.
Ms Mary, Millet Sister, KRRS, Bidar, Karnataka
22.
Ms Gopamma, Millet Sister KRRS, Bidar, Karnataka
23.
Mr Prabudas, KRRS, Bidar, Karnataka
24.
Mr Prakash, KRRS, Bidar, Karnataka
25.
Dr T N Prakash, Chair, Agriculture Price Commission, Bangalore, Karnataka
26.
Ms Sheelu Francis, Women's Collective, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
27.
Ms Palaniammal, Millet Sister, Koltapatti, Tutucoran, Tamil Nadu
28.
Dr Suresh Reddy, Associate Professor, Centre for Economics & Social Studies, Hyderabad, Telangana
29.
Ms Mogulamma, Millet Sister, Potpalli Village, Sangareddy District, Telangana
30.
Ms Krishna Veni, All India Millet Sisters Network, Telangana
31.
Ms Rojamma, Deccan Development Society, Telangana
32.
Ms Mamatha, Sangham Organics, Pastapur, Telangana
33.
Ms Tejasvi, Deccan Development Society, Telangana
34.
Ms Reenamma, Millet Sister & Community Film Maker, Rechintal, Telangana
35.
Ms Ranamma, Millet Sister & Community Film Maker, Telangana
36.
Ms Genaral Narasamma, Sangham Radio, Machnoor, Telangana
37.
Ms Jayasri, Deccan Development Society, Telangana
38.
Mr PV Satheesh, National Convenor, Millet Network of India, Hyderabad, Telangana
39.
Ms Chinna Narasamma, Millet Sister, Community Media Trust, Telangana
40.
Ms Mayuri, Film Maker, Pastapur, Telangana
41.
Mr Janardhan, PILUPU, Bhongir, Telangana
42.
Ms Gopamma, Millet Sister,Bhongir, Telangana
43.
Ms Masru, Millet Sister,Bhongir, Telangana
44.
Ms Sumalatha, Millet Sister, KK Thanda, Bhongir,Telangana
45.
Mr Nimmaiah, PEACE, Bhongir, Telangana
46.
Mr Shiba Prasad, Ahinsa Club, Odisha
47.
Ms Anitha Sahu, Millet Sister, Ahinsa Club, Odisha
48.
Ms Betikhai Bariha, Millet Sister, Ahinsa Club, Odisha
49.
Ms Trisha Paladhi, AGRAGAMEE, Odisha
50.
Ms Sumani Jhodia, Millet Sister, Odisha
51.
Ms Sushila Majhi, Millet Sister, Odisha
52.
Mr Narayan Barik, NIRMAN, Odisha
53.
Ms Paramiti Mahji, Millet Sister, Community Leader, Kandhamal, Odisha
54.
Ms Sramyuli Mallick, Community Leader, Kandhamal, Odisha
55.
Mr Aman Singh, KRAPAVIS, Rajasthan
56.
Ms Latha Jishnu, Senior Freelance Journalist, New Delhi
57.
Ms Gina Phanbuh, North East Network, Meghalaya
58.
Dr L Devarani, Asst Prof., Central Agricultural University, Meghalaya
59.
Dr Bijoya Bhattacharjee, HOD.Center for Biotech.
60.
Dr Subhash babu, Scientist(Agro),ICAR – NEH, Umiam, Meghalaya
61.
Dr Bagish kumar, Scientist -social science, ICAR- NEH, Umiam, Meghalaya
62.
Mr Habandajop Lyngdoh, SURE, Jowai
63.
Mr Raj Parsah, SURE, Jowai
64.
Mr Dharmen G. Momin, Community leader, Sasatgre, West Garohills, Meghalaya
65.
Ms Amlin G. Momin, Farmer, Sasatgre, West Garohills. Meghalaya
66.
Ms Mitjilima G. Momin, Farmer, Sasatgre, West Garohills. Meghalaya
67.
Dr Vishram ram, Professor, CPGS, Cental Agriculture university, Umiam, Meghalaya
68.
Ms Merrysha Nongrum, NESFAS Meghalaya
69.
Mr Jankpreet, NESFAS Meghalaya
70.
Ms Binasi Mary, Farmer, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
71.
Ms Jesenta Rani, Farmer, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya
72.
Ms Mesilhi-u, Millet Sister, Nagaland
73.
Ms Neipelhi-u, Millet Sister, Nagaland
74.
Ms Dikhwetso-u, Millet Sister, Nagaland
75.
Ms Songulo-u, Millet Sister, Nagaland
76.
Ms Ghaluta, Millet Sister, Nagaland
77.
Ms Lupisii, Millet Sister, Nagaland
78.
Ms Vepralu Sapu, Millet Sister, Nagaland
79.
Ms Thuyevolusapu, Millet Sister, Nagaland
80.
Mr Stephen, North East Network, Nagaland
81.
Ms BK Chettri, KKKS, Kalimpong, West Bengal
82.
Ms Pavitra Sherpa, Farmer, Kalimpong, West Bengal
83.
Ms Manjari Subbha, Farmer, Kalimpong, West Bengal
84.
Ms Samhita Barooah, Freelance Journalist, Guwahati
85.
Ms Dolly Wotsa, North East Network, Nagaland
86.
Ms Neitshopeu Thopi, North East Network, Nagaland
87.
Ms Wekoweu Tsuhah, North East Network, Nagaland
88.
Ms Seno Tsuhah, North East Network, Nagaland
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