Dr. M.L. Jat Inaugurates Agro-Mart for FPOs to Promote Millet Products in Hyderabad

27th April 2025, Hyderabad

Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary (DARE) and Director General, (ICAR), inaugurated the IIMR FPOs Agro-Mart at the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (ICAR-IIMR), Hyderabad, today. The new facility aims to support Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in marketing value-added millet products, with technical backing from ICAR-IIMR and financial support from the ICICI Foundation under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.

Dr. Jat lauded ICAR-IIMR's contribution to rural development and millet promotion through farmer collectives, stating that the new Agro-Mart would enhance consumer access and visibility for FPOs, thereby improving farmer incomes.

Later, Dr. Jat also inaugurated the Shree Anna (Millet) Mechanization Centre established jointly by ICAR-IIMR and OUAT, Bhubaneswar. He emphasized the importance of mechanization in reducing labor dependence, improving efficiency, and ensuring sustainable millet production.

He also stated that such mechanization units especially under the Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) will be pivotal in supporting millet farming in tribal regions, easing the workload of farm women, and strengthening the millet value chain through improved marketing and processing infrastructure.

The event was graced by several dignitaries, including Padma Bhushan Dr. R.S. Paroda, Former Secretary (DARE) and DG (ICAR); Dr. Rakesh Chandra Agrawal, Deputy Director General (Agricultural Education), ICAR and Acting Director, ICAR-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management; Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR-IIMR, along with senior officials and other stakeholders.

In her address, Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi highlighted the institute’s dedicated work in nurturing millet-based FPOs across Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka, and Odisha.

The Agro-Mart has been established as a platform to boost the market presence of FPOs by showcasing processed and branded millet-based products. The initiative seeks to improve the profitability of millet farmers by promoting value addition, branding, and direct consumer engagement.

(Source: ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad)