HYDERABAD: Millets were not just a part of our everyday meal, but were once also an intrinsic part of our culture. Did you know that in several parts of our country millets were used as part of offerings to God and various other customs during festivals?Today, millets are making a grand comeback as miracle grains. They are becoming popular for various reasons-- gluten-free, high protein, low fat, and calcium and iron-rich—. But it is not for this that the millets are called the miracle grains. There is more to it than its health benefits. Millets can grow without any irrigation even in the driest of regions of India. They are possibly the answer to food sovereignty, climate change and malnutrition in our country.
This humble grain has lost its value amongst our farming fraternity because of the government’s focus on paddy and wheat distribution for public (PDS). However, it is making a comeback and is gaining popularity. To spread awareness and increase acceptance for millets amongst people, Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, a Hyderabad-based NGO, offered a workshop on millets on Sunday at Our Sacred Space in Secunderabad. Aranya’s core activity involves using permaculture farming practices to create ecological and sustainable livelihoods. The NGO has directly or indirectly worked with at least 1.5 lakh farmers and helped them with sustainable, regenerative solutions. It is hosting the 13th International Permaculture Convergence in Hyderabad and Sangareddy district from November 25 to December 2.
During the Cooking with Millets workshop, the industry experts talked about the culture of millet in Telangana, the nutritional benefits of millets and finally, cook some of the ways in which you can dish out delicious recipes using millets. They wrapped up the workshop with a community meal.
Aranya Agricultural Alternatives, a Hyderabad based environmental and developmental NGO, International Permaculture Convergence Council (IPCC) and Friends of IPC (FIPC) will be hosting the 13th International Permaculture Convergence (IPC) at Hyderabad in India from November 27 – December 2, 2017. The convergence is a five day residential, experiential learning forum and will be attended by those who have completed their Permaculture Design Course or have been referred by a Permaculture practitioner. This will be preceded by a conference in Hyderabad on November 25 -26 this year.