Mysuru: Following United Nation’s declaration of the year 2023 as International Year of Millets, a District-level Millets Jatha has been organised in city on Jan. 18.

According to Joint Director of Agriculture, the programme has been conceived to create awareness about the importance of millets under National Food Safety programme, by the State and Central Governments.

The Jatha will be flagged off by Deputy Commissioner Dr. K.V. Rajendra at 7.30 am from Kote Anjaneyaswamy temple at Palace North Gate. It will pass through D. Devaraja Urs Road and culminate at Deputy Commissioner’s Office premises. The rallyists will carry various placards and raise slogans about the importance of millets, according to the Joint Director of Agriculture.

Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer, Superintendent of Police, District-level officers of Agriculture Department, representatives of agriculture firms and Farm Equipment Traders Association and NCC cadets will participate in the Jatha.

At 1 pm, a District-level Millets Fest and workshop have been organised at P. Kalingarao Gana Mantapa at Dasara Exhibition Grounds. The Fest will give impetus to cultivation of millets, value addition and use. The workshop is for producers and sellers of millets. Agriculture Minister B.C. Patil will inaugurate the programme.  Minister S.T. Somashekar will preside.