Goa’s Festakar Marius Fernandes hands over eight different types of millet seeds to Dhirubhai Shah, a trustee and fund-raising manager for Medaid UK charity, to be taken to Uganda.
Chance meet enabled Goa’s Festakar ignite millet revolution in Uganda
THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
He may be fondly known as Goa’s Festakar, but Marius Fernandes has also been contributing in a special way to promote millets around the world by taking these hardy and highly nutritional grains across three continents, from Goa to the UK and from there, to Uganda.
This journey took shape following a chance encounter at the Leicester market in the UK, when Sir Steve White MBE, a prominent supporter of fundraisers, introduced Dhirubhai Shah, a trustee and fund-raising manager for Medaid UK charity, to Fernandes, a passionate advocate for zero waste and inclusive people's festivals in Goa.
“Steve White shared my recent successful Millets Fest in Goa with Dhirubhai, whose eyes lit up. He was excited by the prospect of obtaining millet seeds for farmers in Uganda, his birthplace,” recalled Fernandes.
Fernandes already had plans to promote millets at the first-ever inclusive ‘Goa, Daman and Diu Fest’ at the iconic Belgrave Gate, Leicester, on July 30, thanks to five types of millet seeds provided by the Goa College of Agriculture at Ela Farm, Old Goa.
During the festival, Marius shared insights into Goa, Daman and Diu culture and highlighted the significance of the traditional Goan percussion instrument ‘Ghumot’, and millets, UN’s designated crop of the year 2023.
Fernandes even conducted a workshop on making millet-based porridge (Tizann), a traditional preparation of Goa.
“We two soon struck a deal that once we finish with the ‘Goa, Daman and Diu Fest’, I would gift Shah the millets gifted to me by the Goa College of Agriculture Principal Dr Suresh Kunkalikar, who generously provided five types of millet seeds. The Hemophilia Panjim Chapter also contributed three additional varieties of millets to support this initiative,” said Fernandes.
The eight varieties of millets that Fernandes brought with him to the UK were Sorghum Millet (Jowar), Proso Millet, Pearl Millet (Bajra), Foxtail Millet, Finger Millet (Ragi), Browntop Millet, Barnyard Millet and Little Millet.
“Upon the successful completion of the ‘Goa Daman and Diu Fest’ in Leicester, I gifted the eight types of millet seeds to Shah, who will spearhead their distribution among Ugandan farmers. This move aims to enhance agricultural practices, improve food security, and foster economic growth in the region.”
Shah had previously raised funds to purchase two much-needed ambulances for the people of Uganda.
With the forthcoming collaboration between Goa, the UK and Uganda, Shah said the potential for a millets revolution in the African country has grown significantly.
“I realised that after the Millets Fest, I saw an opportunity to provide hope and empower farmers in Uganda,” said Shah.
"We are excited about the potential impact of this collaboration on the livelihoods of farmers in Uganda. By promoting the cultivation of millets, we can contribute to sustainable agriculture and combat food insecurity.”
“This partnership represents a shining example of international cooperation and humanitarian spirit, showcasing how individuals from different corners of the world can come together to effect positive change,” Shah added.
Europe’s 1st Millets Fest in Leicester
THE GOAN NETWORK | LONDON
Leicester is set to witness a cultural extravaganza with the upcoming Millets Fest, a first-of-its-kind event in Europe, scheduled for August 10.
The festival, curated by Goa’s Festakar Marius Fernandes and coordinated by Steve White MBE, will include a vibrant celebration of Goa, Gujarat, and Punjab communities, their rich heritage, language, music, and sumptuous cuisines.
This initiative is in line with the United Nations' dedication of 2023 as the Year of the Millets, recognising the importance of this incredible crop as a superfood and a vital component of the future of sustainable nutrition.
Attendees of the Millets Fest can expect an immersive experience, embracing the multicultural essence of Leicester. The festival will showcase the diverse cultural expressions of Goa, Gujarat, and Punjab, featuring tantalising dishes prepared with millets and a plethora of mouthwatering flavours.
One of the highlights of the event will be an exclusive workshop led by Marius Fernandes, where participants will learn the art of making the cherished and much-loved Goan dish ‘Tizann’. The festival also promises to tantalise taste buds with the creation of delectable chapattis made from Jowar and Bajra millets.
The Millets Fest will not only delight the senses through cuisine but will also embrace the soul with a harmonious fusion of music in Konkani, Gujarati, and Punjabi languages. Attendees can look forward to an enchanting musical experience that celebrates the cultural diversity of these vibrant communities.
"This festival is a testament to our social responsibility to promote millets as a superfood and an essential element of our future food landscape. By showcasing the diverse cultures of Goa, Gujarat, and Punjab, we aim to foster understanding, appreciation, and unity within our multicultural city of Leicester," said Marius Fernandes, curator of the Millets Fest.
Coordinating the event, Steve White MBE, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are thrilled to bring the Millets Fest to Leicester, an occasion that epitomises the essence of cultural harmony and sustainable living. This celebration of millets and their culinary prowess is a step towards a healthier and more environmentally conscious future."
The Millets Fest promises to be an enriching and memorable experience for all participants to savour the flavours, melodies, and cultures in the multicultural city.
‘Delighted that millets from Goa being promoted in UK, Uganda’
Goa’s Festakar Marius Fernandes along with Goa College of Agriculture Principal Dr Suresh Kunkalikar.
THE GOAN NETWORK | PANAJI
Goa College of Agriculture Principal Dr Suresh Kunkalikar has praised Goa’s Festakar Marius Fernandes for promoting millets from Goa across the world.
“I am quite delighted to read and know how our Marius Fernandes is creating awareness and promoting millets in the UK and other countries, immediately after travelling from Goa,” said Dr Kunkalikar.
“I remember how Marius promoted millets under ‘Millets, Mango & Music Festival’, and pulled the urban crowd to participate in the event organised at our college campus in Ela Farm in Old Goa.”
“He was a little sad to know that the area under millet cultivation in Goa reduced from 200 ha to merely 20 ha in the last 20 years.”
Dr Kunkalikar said Fernandes then collected seeds of a few varieties of millets from the college.
“Marius mentioned that he wanted people around him to know more about millets and their health benefits. On reaching the UK, he curated UK’s first-ever ‘Goa, Daman, and Diu Fest’ at Belgrave Gate in Leicester. The festival featured a fascinating display showcasing eight types of millets.”
“I was pleased to note that Marius not only promoted millets at the festival in Leicester but also had further plans to send millet seeds to Uganda.
“It’s amazing to see his enthusiasm to travel and create more awareness of millets in three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa! Asia mostly grows 10-12 species, Europe 2 species and Africa 5 species of millets.”
Dr Kunkalikar said there are about 10 species of millets commonly grown in India: Finger Millet (Ragi), Foxtail Millet (Kakum/Kangni), Sorghum Millet (Jowar), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Proso millet, Kodo millet, Little Millet (Kutki), Barnyard Millet, Buckwheat Millet (Kuttu) and Amaranth Millet (Rajgira).
“I am sure Marius will be the harbinger for promoting millets among people across the world for their better diet and good health in changing lifestyle,” said Dr Kunkalikar.
‘Goans across world can cultivate, consume this nutritious food’
THE GOAN NETWORK | PANAJI
Goa College of Agriculture Principal Dr Suresh Kunkalikar has said India is the largest producer of millets with an annual production of 170 lakh tonnes and the second largest exporter in the world.
“Millets can be cultivated in almost all types of soil and therefore they are grown in about 131 countries in the world and largely consumed by people in Asia and Africa,” said Dr Kunkalikar.
“Goans across the world can cultivate and consume this nutritious food. Millets can be used in daily diet eating Ragi dosa, porridge, and malt for breakfast; millet rice, pulao, soup, stew and Tizann (fermented Ragi millet flour) for lunch and dinner, as well as burgers, idlis, chips and laddoos, as evening snacks.”
“In India, millets are grown in over 12 states with a major focus on Pearl Millet (Bajra) and Sorghum (Jowar). There is much scope for millets, mostly Ragi in Goa, as the soil and weather are suitable for their cultivation.”
“The Ragi being a hardy crop requires less water and manure saving on input costs. The cultivation of millets even in hilly regions of Goa in monsoon with limited manure and care can provide healthy food and improve income. The Sorghum, Pearl Millet, and Ragi can be cultivated for grains and nutritious fodder for cattle in fallow and khazan land. This will improve milk production and add to the farmer's income.”
Dr Kunkalikar also said the Goa College of Agriculture at Ela Farm, Old Goa, has planned to establish a Millet Information Centre to provide scientific information to students and the public.
“The centre will display information on millets, varieties suitable for cultivation in Goa, health benefits, technical bulletins, booklets, video displays etc.,” said Dr Kunkalikar.
“Additionally, there will be millet demonstration plots and experimental scientific trials of over 12 millet varieties in the college field for the student, farmers, and people. This will motivate them to bring their land under millet cultivation.”
