SHILLONG: A workshop-cum-awareness programme on the importance of millets was held at Laitdiengsai village in Mawkynrew block by the Social Service Centre (SSC), Shillong, in collaboration with Northeast Slow Food & Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS) as part of a project called 'Facilitating Agricultural Regeneration Resources'.With the theme 'No Woman No Krai', a slogan that was started by Slow Food International and adopted as a campaign locally, the workshop focused on the importance of millet (called krai in Khasi), the emergence of millet networks in the local and global forum, and the role of women as protectors of this precious crop.A cooking class on two recipes of millet was also conducted, in which participants from the six villages of Jongksha, Laitdiengsai, Mawmuthoh, Mawpyrshong, Mawblang and Rapleng took part.Resource person Pius Ranee of NESFAS said, "If a time comes when there is shortage of supply of rice in our region, which is our staple food, what would we do? We will have to reflect that millet was a staple food back in the days during the time of our forefathers." She also said in the workshop millets are pest-free crops and that growing it requires no chemicals."Most importantly, they are climate-smart crops that can increase food sovereignty for farmers and can be sourced locally. Though millet is easy to cultivate, it is unfortunate that most farmers in our region have stopped cultivating this precious crop. At the same time, this can help contribute to our local economy, which is good for our people, health, and the environment," he said.

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