KATHMANDU, AUGUST 4

Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has emphasized the need for the government to prioritize millet production as a means to strengthen food security.

While attending a food exhibition organized by the Nepali Cuisine Promotion Campaign on Monday, Minister Khadka urged the government to focus on the commercial promotion of millet. The exhibition showcased ten different millet-based dishes, highlighting the versatility and nutritional value of this indigenous crop.

'We can contribute to food security by conserving millet, promoting its commercial cultivation, and integrating it into our daily diet. Relying on locally grown grains helps us become self-reliant. A food system that depends heavily on imports is not a sustainable approach to food security,' Khadka stated.

It is worth noting that the government has officially declared Saun 16 in the Nepali lunar calendar as National Millet Day starting this year, with the goal of raising awareness about millet's significance and encouraging its wider production.

While sampling the dishes, Minister Khadka remarked that millet is more than just an ingredient-it is an integral part of Nepal's food culture and identity. He also underscored the remarkable nutritional benefits of the crop.

The exhibition featured a variety of millet-based items such as pancakes, pudding, muffins, biscuits, mo:mo, tempura, malpuwa, dhindo, and sel roti. Visitors enthusiastically tasted and appreciated these local delicacies.

This event marked the fifth edition of 'Bhojan Lipi Swad' under the Nepali Cuisine Promotion Campaign. It was held in collaboration with Narayani Chamena Griha at Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, where international chefs Durga Khadka and Ghanashyam Kandel prepared a wide range of traditional Nepali millet-based cuisines.

(With inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)