Millet Value Chain Development Training for KVK Scientists from NEH Concludes at ICAR–IIMR, Hyderabad

20 March 2026, Hyderabad

A four-day advanced training programme on ‘Millet Value Chain Development Training to Scientists of KVK from NEH’ successfully concluded today at the ICAR–Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad. The programme brought together 10 agricultural scientists from Krishi Vigyan Kendras across North Eastern Hill (NEH) states, aiming to strengthen their technical competencies in millet processing, product innovation, and enterprise development.

Dr C. Tara Satyavathi, Director, ICAR–IIMR, highlighted the significant progress made by NEH states in millet revival and their growing role in promoting nutrition security in the country. She highlighted that strengthening the skills of KVK scientists is important for advancing millets, especially in value addition, entrepreneurship, and value chain development.

The training programme provided a comprehensive and hands-on learning experience covering the entire millet ecosystem. Participants were exposed to improved production technologies suitable for NEH regions, followed by practical sessions on primary and secondary processing at the Shree Anna Processing & Training Unit. These sessions included cleaning, grading, dehulling, milling, and scientific packaging techniques.

A key highlight of the programme was experiential learning on the development of diverse millet-based value-added products. Participants prepared a range of innovative and traditional products such as instant mixes, pasta, vermicelli, bakery items (biscuits and cookies), Ragi beetroot sticks, Jowar donuts, and flavoured millet malt, showcasing strong market potential. Exposure visits and demonstrations at Nutri-Hub enabled participants to explore international millet-based recipes including Jowar lamington cake, Bajra Anzac cookies, Foxtail saltine crackers, millet churros, Kodo millet wajik, Proso millet chicken pizza, and other innovative products. The programme also included hands-on training sessions by startups such as GMRK Foods, focusing on the preparation of millet chikki and nutribars, along with insights into commercial processing, branding, and market linkages.

In addition, sessions were conducted on the role of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) in aggregation and collective marketing, the Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers’ Rights Act for safeguarding indigenous millet varieties, and advanced technologies in millet packaging and shelf-life enhancement.

The training concluded with positive feedback from participants, who expressed confidence in applying the acquired knowledge to strengthen millet-based interventions, support farmers, and promote entrepreneurship in their respective NEH regions.

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