MEC offers a unique dining experience, besides an in-store shopping experience
Narendra Singh Tomar, Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, along with Rajbir Singh, Managing Director, NAFED, commemorated the launch of the first-of-its-kind ‘Millets Experience Centre (MEC)’ at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi. NAFED in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MoA&FW) established the Millets Experience Centre with an aim to raise awareness of Millets and encourage its adoption among the general public.
Acting upon India’s proposal supported by 72 countries, the United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). The declaration positioned India at the forefront of the celebrations and the Government of India has been working on ‘mission mode’ to champion millets as a crop good for farmers, the environment and consumers. The ministry-led initiative of establishing a consumer-oriented ‘Millets Experience Centre’ would not only promote the dietary benefits of the ancient grain but also popularise millets or Shree Anna as a nutritional powerhouse fit for cooking a variety of dishes like Millets dosa, Millets pasta etc. In addition to a unique dining experience, customers can also purchase a variety of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook products from local millet start-ups at the MEC.
In his inaugural address, Tomar praised India’s dynamic celebration of IYM 2023, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Highlighting the visionary efforts of the Prime Minister, starting from the declaration of the National Year of Millets in 2018 and further with the International Year of Millets (IYM), Tomar said India is gearing towards becoming a ‘Global Hub’ for Millets. The setting up of the MEC is a step in that direction, he added. Situated in the heart of Delhi, Dilli Haat is a national & cultural hub for visitors from all around the world, the MEC will further help the global outreach of the local millets and provide visitors with a chance to witness India’s ‘Millet Movement’, he said.
