Folks, tomorrow we have an interaction session with stories and activities on the topic of

Millets, Food and Sustainability.
Sunday, June 27th @ 10 AM, IST
https://meet.google.com/xow-stco-dcw

A recording of the talk and the discussion that followed ...

https://youtu.be/hRBPKPCurdk

A presentation I made for a class y'day to train Certified Farm Advisors on Millets organized by IIMR. Questions and feedback are welcome.

*Seeking advise from those who have used diesel generators*

We have set up a community oriented small millet processing facility in Sitapur dt., UP. The electricity supply has been bad in the area and we are looking to buy a diesel generator to power the machines. There are 4 machines with 5 motors adding up to a 8 hp power requirement.

In theory, a 10kVA + single cylinder <20 bhp engine should suffice for our needs, because we don't have a single big motor, starting current isn't as big.

But most diesel generator sellers are telling us that we should buy a set with at least a 15kVA generator and a double cylinder 20+ bhp, air cooled engine. Needless to say, that almost doubles the cost.

Budget is, as usual, a constraint. So seeking advise from those who have used diesel generators on whether we should bite the bullet and spend the extra money or we can confidently go ahead with the lower capacity one.


Thank you !!

Photo from ದ್ವಿಜಿ / Dwiji / द्विजि

Millet Calendar 2023, is a collaborative effort of RRA Network, Keystone Foundation, USING DIVERSITY, Nirmaan, Working Group on Millets in reviving and promoting millets and recognising marginal farmers and tribal communities has strived to arise awareness on the rich millet diversity keeping our traditional food system alive.

The Millet Calendar 2023 is being released on 22nd Jan 2023 at 4pm.

Join us online for the release.

Sabyasachi, RRA Network
Krishna Prasad, Sahaja Samrudha
Sanjoy Sabud, WGoM

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5258498558?pwd=SzFhSmd3UHJDSzBhZW42ZGxPMk9UQT09

The people's convention ...

Millets For Millions

24th & 25th Feb, 2023 in New Delhi

Join us to Celebrate the Rich Cultural Traditions and Diversity of Millets. Contribute to the Policy Discussions on ‘Millets for People’

Friends, a gazette notification was issued recently by the GoI with FSSAI setting the standards for millets. The full notification can be found at this link: https://fssai.gov.in/upload/notifications/2023/02/63fdb05adf62csample.pdf

Screenshots of the relevant sections (in English, pg 35 and 36) are attached here for easy reference.

(1) I am not sure what consultations FSSAI held in preparation to this, were you or anyone you know consulted? It would have been great if we as a community were involved in the drafting of these standards. In fact some of you might recall that such standards were identified as a primary ask from the govt. in one of our early meetings.

(2) I would also love to hear your thoughts on the following aspects:
(2.i) using the same standards for whole millets and for dehusked millets
(2.ii) the permitted percentages for the various parameters and
(2.iii) more specifically the permitted percentages for (a) brokens (grains with slight defects) and (b) immature grains.

(3) We should draft and initiate, hold consultations and put forward a proposal to FSSAI asking for a standard for natural / bran retained / unpolished millet rice. If you would like to involved in the same, please respond to this message in the discussion group.

P.V. Satheesh sir is no more. We have lost one of the pioneers of millets in India.

A recent article on Decentralized Nutrition Conscious Small Millet Processing initiatives currently on in three places... pl share in your circles. Comments, critical ones too, are welcome.

https://leisaindia.org/decentralized-small-millet-processing/

A video made by a visitor from Uttarakhand to Sehat ka bardaana, the Community Oriented Small Millet processing unit in Sitapur, UP.

https://youtu.be/InTeFlmKL04

उत्तर प्रदेश के जनपद सीतापुर, मिश्रिक ब्लाक, अर्थापुर पंचायत, पिपरि गांव मे स्थित सेहत का बारदान में कल ६ नवंबर २०२३ को ४ राज्यों से आए "समुदाय केंद्रित छोटे मिलेट प्रसंस्करण पर उत्तर प्रदेश कार्यशाला" के साथी। संगतिन किसान मज़दूर संगठन के साथियों के साथ ५ घंटो के दौरान खेती खाना और पोषण के बारे मे संवाद चलाए और मिलेट् प्रसंस्करण इकाई का दौर भी किए। संगठन के साथियों ने बनाए कोदो का खीर और देशी अनाजों से बने नमकीन और लड्डू को भी बहुत खुशी से खाए।