Virtual Event, 11/07/2023
The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th Session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). As part of the IYM 2023 celebration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is organizing a four-part “IYM Global Webinar Series” to shed light on the various environmental, social and economic benefits of millets, their rich heritage and their vast potential.
Millets were among the first domesticated plants and remain a traditional staple crop for millions of people in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia as the grains can thrive in poor soils, resist crop diseases and pests, and are resilient in adverse climatic conditions. As a fundamental crop for multiple Indigenous Peoples’ food systems around the world, millets have been an important crop for millennia, and even today can help overcome food scarcity in difficult periods, contributing to the food security and nutrition of vulnerable populations.
Join this webinar to learn more about the historical, anthropological, archaeological aspects of millets and their evolving heritage today!
Agenda
| Time | Agenda item and presenter |
| 12:00–12:05 | Opening remarks by Mr Jingyuan Xia, Director of FAO Plant Production and Protection Division (NSP), FAO |
| 12:05-12:15 | Archaeological and anthropological aspects in millets tradition by Ms Nuria Sanz, Regional Director of UNESCO Cairo Office, Egypt |
| 12:15 –12:25 | History of millets in Japan by Mr Mikio Kimata, Ethnobotany and Principle for Learning Environment Emeritus Professor of Tokyo Gakugei University, Japan |
| 12:25 –12:35 | Connecting tradition to markets by Mr Haiqing Liu, Young Entrepreneur of Aohan Banner, an Agricultural Cultural Heritage Site, China |
| 12:35 –12:55 | Q&A session |
| 12:55 - 13:00 | Closing remarks by Mr Fenton Beed, Senior Agriculture Officer, FAO |
| The webinar will be moderated by Ms Makiko Taguchi, Agricultural Officer, NSP, FAO |
Stay tuned for the upcoming IYM 2023 webinars:
For more information, please contact: [email protected]
