The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). FAO is the lead agency for celebrating the Year in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders. Millets can grow on arid lands with minimal inputs and are resilient to changes in climate. They are therefore an ideal solution for countries to increase self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on imported cereal grains.

The visual, represented by ears of millets, depicts the five main types of this cereal. The ears are arranged such that they form an open hand – symbolizing the cultivator – who plays a vital role in the value chain, transforming the cereal from plant to food. The composition is also meant to represent the importance of the re-emergence of multi-crop agriculture. The ripe and warm colours of the ears evoke a sense that they are ready for harvest, emphasizing the importance of cultivating and consuming millets to help achieve food security.