Minister Khadka Urges Government to Prioritize Millet Production for Food Security

Kathmandu, August 4: Minister for Energy, Water Resources, and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has stressed the need for the government to give greater attention to millet production, highlighting its role in strengthening food security and promoting self-reliance.

Speaking at a food exhibition organised by the Nepali Cuisine Promotion Campaign on Monday, Minister Khadka noted that conserving and commercialising millet, along with incorporating it into daily meals, could significantly reduce dependency on imported grains. “A food system reliant on imports is not sustainable. Promoting local crops like millet can ensure food security and self-sufficiency,” he said.

The exhibition, featured 10 millet-based dishes including mo: mo, tempura, pancake, pudding, muffin, biscuit, malpuwa, dhindo, and sel roti. Visitors enjoyed tasting these traditional delicacies prepared using the indigenous crop.

The event marked the fifth edition of the Bhojan Lipi Swad initiative under the Nepali Cuisine Promotion Campaign and was held in collaboration with Narayani Chamena Griha. Renowned chefs Durga Khadka and Ghanashyam Kandel crafted the diverse millet dishes for the exhibition.

Minister Khadka also highlighted the cultural and nutritional significance of millet, calling it more than just an ingredient — a key part of Nepal’s food heritage. He appreciated the government’s recent decision to declare Shrawan 16 as National Millet Day in the Nepali lunar calendar, aimed at promoting awareness and boosting production of the cereal crop.