 I welcome all of you to the International Convention on Millets. Millets are traditional grains, climate resilient and the power of nutrition. Millets can play an important role to achieve nutritional security. Humble millets are emerging as a hope for our future. The United Nations has declared 2023 as an international year of millets. URISA is the first state to organize such an international convention involving all stakeholders. URISA is a pioneer in designing a people-centric millet mission with focus on livelihood and nutrition of our tribal communities. My government always prioritized the welfare of every segment of society. We launched URISA Millets mission in 2017 with the focus to revive the millets, force the promotion of millets is about justice and equity to rain-fed farmers of URISA. To encourage millet cultivation, we have increased the direct benefit incentives for millets and laid out a short procurement of millets and of ragi. My government is investing over rupees 2500 crores for providing income and livelihood support to farmers. I encourage all of you to spread the word about the millets mission so every eligible farmer can become a part of this journey. It is also very heartening to see the journey of Mission Shakti women's welfare group in the millet-valued chain. Under the brand of Milit Shakti, Mission Shakti groups have shown the world how millet-based enterprises can play an important role in appealing to taste buds of consumers and improve livelihood. As the International Year of the Millet 2023 is coming to an end, the Convention on Millets provides an opportune moment to revisit the efforts and strategies of different stakeholders. My government will put all its efforts to make URISA become a center for excellence and contribute to economic growth, well-being and health of the people of URISA. Bande utkal janani.