Experts

Dr. A. Laxmaiah is a distinguished scientist at the Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Nutrition (ICMR-NIN), holding the position of Scientist G (Director grade Scientist) and Head of Public Health Nutrition Research. Previously, Dr. Laksmiah served as Scientist E (Deputy Director & Head of Division of Community Studies) at NIN, Hyderabad. His expertise and leadership contribute significantly to public health nutrition research, focusing on community studies and their implications for national health policies and interventions.

Abhishek leads The Council's energy access, rural livelihoods, and sustainable food systems practices, directing the $3 million 'Powering Livelihoods' initiative to transform India's rural economy with clean energy. With over nine years of experience, he co-conceptualized and leads CEEW’s ACCESS survey, the largest on multidimensional energy access in India, and focuses on decentralized renewable energy, LPG for cooking, fossil fuel subsidies, and sustainable agriculture.

Dr. Achyuthan Eswar is a Lifestyle Physician on a mission to help people prevent, treat and reverse chronic lifestyle diseases like Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart-disease, Asthma, Obesity, and others through an Evidence-Based lifestyle centered approach. He brings together the best of scientific research as well as ancient traditional practices that have shown to help you achieve optimal health.

Dr. A Amarender Reddy completed my Ph.D. (Agricultural Economics) from ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI), New Delhi. Then after, joined Agricultural Research Service (ARS) of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) in year 2001 with first posting at ICAR-IIPR, Kanpur. From then onwards mostly engaged in agricultural and rural policy research, consultancy and trainings in various premier institutions. He published more than 100 research articles in national and international journals including Economic and Political Weekly, Food Policy, Food Security, Manufacturing & Service Operations Management, Current Science, Irrigation & Drainage, Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences, Agricultural Economics Research Review and Indian Journal of Agricultural Economics.

Anisha, a Bangalore-based entrepreneur and food writer, is the co-founder of Goya, a media company specializing in food and storytelling. Her expertise includes media production, events, communication, and curating content, including pieces on millets.

Anju Venka is dedicated to raising awareness about diverse foods and assists clients in crafting personalized meal plans tailored to their needs. She emphasizes selecting ingredients and recipes that optimize nutritional benefits, ensuring her customers derive maximum nourishment from their meals. Her goal is to empower individuals to make informed choices and enhance the nutrient content of their diet through mindful cooking practices.

With a Master's in Industrial Design, a Bachelor's in Fine Art, and a Diploma in Movement Arts and Plant-Based Nutrition from Cornell University, she has been learning and practicing on the job since 2015. She sources millets from small-time farmers, creates innovative millet products, and educates followers on the health benefits of millets through workshops.

Dr. Bala Subramanian, Principal Scientist and Head at the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, Regional Centre Coimbatore, holds a BE, ME, and PhD in Agricultural Process Engineering with 28 years of expertise in research, academia, and industry. He has published over 120 journals, worked extensively in food processing machinery and fisheries engineering, and is recognized with awards like the Jawaharlal Nehru Award.

Dr. C. Tara Satyavathi, a Ph.D. graduate from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, is a distinguished millet research expert. She has developed product profiles for various production ecologies in Pearl millet cultivation and advanced materials and technologies for regions with less than 400 mm annual rainfall. Her expertise significantly benefits millet cultivation, particularly in the challenging agro-climatic conditions of Telangana.

Dr. Deepika Goswami, a Senior Scientist at ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering & Technology in Ludhiana, holds a Ph.D. in Food Technology. She specializes in value addition of coarse cereals and millets, focusing on innovative technologies for baking millet-based gluten-free products.

Dinesh Balam has led WASSAN (Watershed Support Services and Activities Network) for 25 years, fostering prosperity and ecological security in rainfed areas through collaboration with communities, civil society, research, and government entities. Focused on smallholder farmers, farmworkers, women, and tribal communities, he is spearheading a grassroots movement in Odisha to promote millet consumption.

We work on Millets Production, Processing and Market development for Millets and Millets Based Foods. We are Based in Anantapur Dt. of Andhra pradesh, India.

Dr. Dipika Agrahar Murugkar, Principal Investigator at the Central Institute of Agricultural Engineering, holds a Ph.D. in Food Science and Nutrition. With two patents and eight commercialized process technologies, she focuses on nutritional improvements, especially for girls. A communicative scientist with 25 years of research experience, she excels in millet product development, entrepreneurship, and capacity building, significantly advancing food science and nutrition.

I focus on genetic augmentation of foxtail millet grain yield by identifying trait-specific genotypes and enriching sorghum grain micronutrients through breeding and molecular approaches. As a Principal Investigator, I conduct DUS testing in sorghum for Plant Variety Protection and significantly contribute to sorghum parental line development and hybrid breeding. Recently, I identified promising genotypes in foxtail millet, leading to four high-yielding selections under multi-location testing.

Dr. Hemalatha, President of the Nutrition Society of India and Executive Council Member of the Federation of Asian Nutrition Societies (FANS), serves on various national nutrition committees, including NITI Aayog. She spearheaded ‘My Plate for the Day’ to prevent undernutrition and NCDs and developed 14 E-learning modules for the Poshan Abhiyan initiative. Her report, ‘What India Eats,’ details regional dietary patterns and sources of energy and protein.

Holistic Nutritionist, post grad in food and nutrition

Nutritionist Clinical ; Principal, SVT College; National President, Indian Dietetic Association; Consulting Nutritionist

Aadhimalai collects forest and agriculture produce directly from the tribal communities, processes it and markets the produce.

Chef K. Thirugnanasambantham serves as the Principal and Head of the Institution at Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration (WGSHA), Manipal Academy of Higher Education. He holds a PhD in Food and Nutrition, along with qualifications including M.Sc., MBA, MIH (Member of the Institute of Hospitality, UK), and MPhil. His extensive academic background and leadership in hospitality education highlight his expertise in food and nutrition, contributing significantly to the field through education and research.

Kamlendra Srivastava, an Agricultural Engineer from the University of Allahabad and an MBA graduate from the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, currently serves as the Executive Director at NAFED. His expertise in P & L Management spans diverse agricultural sectors, including pulses, oilseeds, horticultural products, foodgrains, seeds, industrial units, and fertilizers. He focuses on climate-resilient initiatives, cold storage, warehouse management, and collaborates with millet-centric startups to promote nutritious millets.

Dr. Kannababu Netyam, Principal Investigator at the Indian Institute of Millets Research in Hyderabad, Telangana, holds a Ph.D. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. With a background in M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Agriculture, he specializes in seed science and technology, focusing on improving seed yield and quality in millets. His recent research includes detailed studies on seed setting, maturation, and longevity across small millets, identifying superior varieties with high seed setting potential and vigor.

Dr. Khadar, an accomplished agricultural scientist with degrees in Agriculture and Plant Pathology, is renowned as the millet man of India. Formerly with ICAR and now associated with the Deccan Development Society (DDS), he has dedicated nearly 20 years to reviving Siridhanya (positive millets). Introducing innovative methods like Kadu Krishi (Jungle Farming) for natural millet cultivation, he advocates for millets through festivals, workshops, and seminars, showcasing his expertise as a distinguished scientist.

Dr. Kirit Patel, Associate Professor of International Development Studies at Menno Simons College affiliated with the University of Winnipeg, holds a Ph.D. from the University of Guelph (2008). Based in Winnipeg, Canada, he explores the sociocultural and ecological impacts of agrarian and climate change on small-scale agriculture and indigenous communities in the Global South. His research focuses on agricultural biodiversity loss, shifts in food consumption patterns, and participatory technology development to enhance resilience of indigenous crops, particularly small millets.

Dr. Mamoni Das, a Professor and Nutritionist at Assam Agricultural University, has over 30 years of experience in academia, research, outreach programs, and consultancy. Currently serving as the Principal Scientist and Unit Coordinator for AICRP in Home Science, she is also the Dean of the Faculty of Community Science. Dr. Das specializes in Functional Foods, particularly in product formulation and validation using millets. Her dedication to research and writing has made significant contributions to the fields of food science and nutrition.

Manoj Prasad, an Adjunct Professor at the University of Hyderabad and Staff Scientist VII at the National Institute of Plant Genome Research, holds esteemed titles including FNASc, FNAAS, FNA, and J. C. Bose National Fellow. With a Ph.D. from Calcutta University and postdoctoral research at Gatersleben, Germany, he specializes in plant molecular biology, focusing on abiotic stress tolerance and nitrogen responsiveness in foxtail millet. Dr. Prasad integrates plant genetics and genomics to enhance climate resilience and health benefits of millets.

Dr. Manoj Kumar Tripathi, Principal Scientist in Biochemistry at ICAR-CIAE, Bhopal, holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture & Technology, Pantnagar, Uttarakhand, India. Leading diverse projects, he specializes in developing value chains for millet-based functional foods and nutraceuticals. Dr. Tripathi contributes extensively to research, technology development, and the writing/editing of articles, publications, and books on millet technology, food process engineering, innovation, and value addition.

Dr. M.S. Meera, Senior Principal Scientist at the Central Food Technological Research Institute, specializes in Plant Sciences with a Ph.D. Her expertise includes biological control of plant diseases, shelf life improvement of millet flours, and processing of grains.

Naveen Krish, with a background in Hotel Management and experience as Marketing Head and Mixologist, currently teaches at G.D. Goenka, Gurgaon. Hailing from South India, he passionately champions millets, initiating a menu revolution in the canteen. Through a successful festival, he introduces millet dishes into the year-long menu, advocating for farm-to-fork practices. Naveen aims to expand millet cultivation in collaboration with the agriculture department, integrating marketing, mixology, and education into his innovative culinary journey.

Navprabhat, a Masters in Social Work graduate from the Delhi School of Social Work, was the first recipient of the Martha Farrell Scholarship. Formerly a Project Officer at the Society for the Promotion of Women and Child Welfare, he now serves as the Strategy & Planning Manager at MVDA, where he leads strategic planning and program development.

Dr. Neelambika Meti, a plant biologist with a postgraduate and Ph.D. background in plant tissue culture, serves as a Professor in Plant Biology. She is a pioneering manufacturer of millet-based ready-to-eat (RTE) and ready-to-cook (RTC) pre-mixes, conducting regular hands-on demonstrations and training programs.Dr. Meti excels in awareness and training programs, establishing a consumer brand, and contributing expertise in product development, content writing, and practical training.

Dr Oliver King is plant biologist currently serving as Director – Biodiversity at M S Swaminathan Research Foundation. He has over 25 years of participatory research and development project management experience in Agrobiodiversity, Natural Resource Management, Value Chains, Gender, and Sustainable Development.

Early years Entrepreneur, Food BloggerResearch, Creating New Recipleis, Business

Pankaj Dwivedi, Head of Business Development & Partnerships at Nurture.Farm, brings a wealth of expertise in agribusiness. With a background in PGPABM from the National Institute of Agricultural Marketing and a B.Sc. in Agriculture, he specializes in offering customized solutions to enterprises, governments, and development organizations focusing on sustainability, digital transformation, supply chain optimization, and establishing farmer connections.His extensive experience includes leadership roles in sales, marketing, strategy, and new business development across agri inputs, agriculture machinery, fresh produce, and retail of agricultural products.

Dr. Paras Sharma, who joined the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) in 2016, specializes in food chemistry and nutrient analysis. His research focuses on various aspects including:Food analysis, particularly studying the composition of nutrients in different foods.Dr. Paras Sharma also serves as a guide for students pursuing studies in nutrition at Osmania University, Hyderabad. His work significantly contributes to understanding the nutritional composition and health benefits of various food sources.

Chef specialising in millet recipes and bakery

Pooja Prasad, an Experienced Associate Editor and leading Podcaster with 20 years in Media and Journalism, excels in 360-degree site launches across diverse topics including Business, Technology, Auto, Literature, Lifestyle, Health, Astrology, Religion, and Food.

Dr. Rao is a distinguished landscape architect renowned for international projects like Palm Island Village, Dubai, and national projects such as Sardar Patel Statue and Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in India. Formerly COO of The International Association for Human Values, he has focused on environmental and disaster management projects. His doctoral studies in agriculture led him to advocate for sustainable farming, and he has been a trustee of Sri Sri Institute of Agriculture and Technology since 2013, promoting Sri Sri Natural Farming. A long-time faculty member of Art of Living, he promotes Vedic techniques like Mandala Vaatika, featured in TEDx talks and CNN videos on sustainable agriculture and indigenous seed conservation.

Prakash I. GangaShetty, a Scientist in Plant Breeding at ICRISAT-Niamey, specializes in Pearl Millet Breeding. With a Ph.D. in Genetics and Plant Breeding from Bangor University and UAS Dharwad, he focuses on developing pearl millet hybrids tailored for West and Central Africa. His work significantly enhances pearl millet cultivation, food security, and agricultural sustainability in these regions.

Senior Scientist at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, focuses on genetically improving millets for increased productivity and resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses.

Rajashekar Reddy Seelam is the founder of 24 Mantra Organic and Managing Director & Founder of Sresta Natural Bioproducts Pvt. Ltd. He has graduated from Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad.

Dr. Rajendra Chapke, Principal Scientist at the Indian Institute of Millets Research in Hyderabad, Telangana, holds a B.Sc. in Agricultural Science, M.Sc., and Ph.D. from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. Specializing in Agricultural Extension, Agricultural Statistics, and Horticulture, he has been pivotal since 2014 in developing farmer-led extension strategies to enhance livelihoods in hilly and tribal areas through integrated millets farming. His initiatives concentrate on improving livelihoods for dryland and rainfed farmers, establishing farm-gate processing facilities, conducting technology outreach, and integrating markets via innovative mobile applications.

Rajesh Bodiga is a senior agribusiness professional known for his strong entrepreneurial skills and extensive experience across India.

Dr. Rakesh Sarwal is an accomplished professional with a diverse background and extensive experience across various domains. He holds a medical degree and a Doctorate in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, USA. Dr. Sarwal has a robust publication record focusing on health and nutrition topics. His career has spanned multiple portfolios, including serving as Additional Secretary at NITI Aayog with responsibilities covering agriculture, energy, international cooperation, natural resources, and the Women and Child Development (WCD) sectors in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. Previously, he played key roles such as streamlining the MoU system of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) as Joint Secretary in the Department of Public Enterprises and overseeing higher technical education at IIT...

Ruchi Jain, affiliated with Taru Naturals Pvt Ltd in Mumbai, Maharashtra, holds an MSc in Environment Change & Management from Oxford University. A versatile agri-entrepreneur, she specializes in training farmers and managing livelihood supply chains, serving as an end-to-end expert in millet value chains. Engaged in diverse facets of millet cultivation and utilization, including research, outreach, recipe curation, and product innovation, Ruchi is dedicated to promoting natural farming through programs and workshops. Her holistic approach integrates research, advocacy, and entrepreneurship in the millet sector.

Founder of millet amma. Ruchika Bhuwalka is a health and nutrition enthusiast and is a passionate promoter of the organic and natural lifestyle.A passionate advocate for farmer’s rights and their fair compensation, Ruchika is passionate to increase awareness and support organic farming practices and ethical sourcing of goods. She hopes to one day bring transparency in the supply chain of food grown-from farm to fork.

Rujuta, a celebrated sports science and nutrition expert, has garnered accolades such as the Nutrition Award from the Asian Institute of Gastroenterology. Her global influence promotes a balanced approach to eating, blending traditional wisdom with modern nutritional science. Educated at institutions like the University of Potsdam and the Australian Institute of Sports, she has advised diverse clients, including celebrities like Kareena Kapoor and Varun Dhawan. Rujuta is a best-selling author, renowned speaker, and recipient of prestigious awards, making significant contributions to the field of food and exercise discourse.

Rushina Munshaw Ghildiyal, a Mumbai-based Culinary Chronicler & Consultant, holds certifications in animation and owns A Perfect Bite Consulting & APB Cook Studio. Known for her global culinary expertise and specialization in Indian Food Studies, particularly Gujarat and Uttarakhand cuisines, she excels as a teacher, Corporate Food Consultant, and Curator of Food experiences. Rushina contributes significantly to the industry, editing the Godrej Food Trend Report and engaging in millet-related initiatives such as research, product development, and support for the Varushka Foundation. Passionate about promoting mindful millet consumption, she focuses on consolidating consumption patterns based on regions and traditional practices, with expertise in research, documentation of traditional k...

Sai Krishna Popuri, founder of Health Sutra based in Hyderabad, is pioneering the promotion of millet consumption through innovative products such as flakes, biscuits, rawas, beverage mixes, muesli, and diet namkeen. His gluten-free offerings, devoid of preservatives, are gaining popularity in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with plans for expansion into Bangalore, Mangalore, and Mumbai. Operating through both offline retail outlets and online platforms like Amazon and Bigbasket, Health Sutra aims to raise awareness and increase millet adoption, with ambitions for a new manufacturing facility and expanded exports. Sai Krishna actively engages in public speaking, addressing diverse audiences including farmers, students, entrepreneurs, and researchers.

With a BE in Mechanical Engineering from VSSUT Burla and a PGDM from XIM Bhubaneswar, I conduct millet awareness programs through NGOs, Rotary Clubs, Inner Wheel clubs, Brahmakumaris centers, Gayatri Pariwar centers, and various spiritual centers/ashrams such as Nigamananda, Sivananda, Kriyayoga, Anukul Chandra, Sri Sri Ravishankar, among others.

Dr. Sangappa, an Extension Scientist at ICAR - Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) and Director of Nutrihub, holds a Ph.D. from ICAR-NDRI, Karnal in Agricultural Extension Education. He also holds an M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Agriculture.His recent major contributions include forming six Millets FPOs and establishing Millets Processing Custom Hiring Centers at the farmgate, enhancing the millet value chain and promoting millet cultivation and consumption.His current responsibilities include: Formation and handholding of Millets Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs) to establish them as startups (FPO Project).Entrepreneurship development among millet producers through consultancy and training (DBT Societal Project).Capacity building of national and international millet stakeholders in p...

Sangeeta Khanna, a Nutrition Consultant with a Masters degree in botany and a PhD in gut health, collaborates with hotels to craft wellness-focused recipes. Renowned for her culinary expertise, she develops recipes and writes columns and articles for magazines, championing ecologically resilient food systems. Through workshops, blogs, and a forthcoming millet-centric recipe book, Sangeeta actively contributes to awareness, nutrition, and the development of innovative recipes and products. Her multifaceted approach underscores a passion for promoting wholesome and sustainable culinary practices.

With a BSc in IT Software Development and a passion for environmental issues sparked by trekking in the Western Ghats, I founded OOO Farms to conserve over 1000 varieties of heirloom seeds, distributed free across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Orissa. I advocate for government policies promoting millets as everyday food, advocating for millet-based dishes on trains, and ensuring accurate information on production and consumption reaches consumers, alongside efforts to redefine food quality based on nutrition rather than simply organic status.

Shalini Rajini, a Gold Medalist with a Masters in Journalism from AMU and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Chemistry, resides in Gurgaon, Haryana. As a Millet Expert, she played an active role in the Global Millets Conference in March 2023. Shalini passionately coaches over 800 participants globally with healing millet recipes and seeks collaborations with eateries to create innovative Millet Menus. Through engaging webinars, she aims to normalize millet meals, employing a unique storytelling approach to make recipes memorable for her students.

Sharmila Oswal, Founder of India Millet Mission, GudMom, and 1Organic, is an esteemed environmentalist, agricultural activist, and Director at Pahle India Foundation. With an LLM in Environment, Water & Energy from the University of Nottingham and credentials from the National University of Singapore and Harvard, she is recognized as the Millet Queen of Maharashtra and has received UN recognition. Her initiatives focus on smart agriculture, promoting millet awareness, and positioning India as a Global Millet Hub, highlighting her commitment to holistic nutrition and sustainable farming. Sharmila Oswal actively engages in public speaking and governance, conducting research and development in smart agriculture and millets policy.

Sheela Krishnaswamy, a Manipal-based Postgraduate in Nutrition and Dietetics since 1983, brings 40 years of experience as a Registered Dietitian. Her expertise spans clinical, corporate, and communication domains, with leadership roles in national and international dietetic associations. A seasoned nutrition entrepreneur, editor, public speaker, and blogger, she serves as an independent Nutrition & Wellness Consultant, Advisor, Anchor, Speaker, and Writer, specializing in millets and their nutritional benefits, including her role as the first Nutrition Consultant for Buddhist Monasteries in India.

As a food blogger and recipe curator, she documents local and native food practices and traditions in Gujarati cuisine.

Dr. Sooganna Dinni, a Scientist in Seed Science and Technology at the Indian Institute of Millets Research in Hyderabad, Telangana, holds a Ph.D. from ICAR-Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi, along with M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Agriculture. As Principal Investigator, he focuses on studying cold tolerance in sorghum and foxtail millet. Dr. Dinni serves as Nodal Officer for seed-related projects, contributing significantly to quality seed production planning and execution in the Indian sorghum and millets seed supply chain. His efforts include coordinating multi-location breeding trials, enhancing breeder seed production, and establishing millets seed hubs for quality production across various centers.

With a BA in Economics, she has been a millet educator for five years and recently started selling millet-based products under the Poshana brand. Also a home chef and YouTuber, she collaborated on a cookbook with three other chefs, conducts cooking demos, and speaks at events as an expert in the field.

Assistant Professor, Krishi Vigyan Kendra Bandipora

Tapas Chandra Roy, a consultant and writer from Koraput, Odisha, holds a B.Sc. in Agriculture and an MBA in Agri-Business Management. With a decade of experience in the millet sector, he is a Certified Farm Advisor on Millets and actively implements the Odisha Millets Mission at the grassroots level. Tapas specializes in millet farming, business ideas, and recipes, contributing extensively through writing and research to advance the millet industry.

BEDF, Processed Food Division including Cashewnuts

Professor at department of food engineering and technology.Cold Plasma for food processing, Plant Gums- Chemistry and Technology, Extrusion processing – process and product development, Drying and dehydration of foods, Frying - chemistry and technology, Nutraceuticals – chemistry, technology and product development, Carbohydrates - chemistry and technology of minor grains and tubers, Traditional foods, Product and technology development, Enzyme applications in food processing, Downstream processing of enzymes, antioxidants, antibiotics and biomolecules

Udit Debangshi, a dedicated student pursuing Bachelor of Agricultural Sciences at Visva-Bharati University (2019-2023), received the "Young Achiever Award" (2023) for contributions to Sustainable Development in Agriculture. Hailing from West Bengal, he has authored publications like "Millets: Resiliency towards Climate Change" and "Millets in Meeting Nutrition Security," featured in Just Agriculture e-newsletter. His interests span Precision Farming, Water and Weed Management, Remote Sensing, Climate Change, and Sustainable Agriculture.

V. Gangi Reddy, a graduate and dedicated leader of RRDS (Rural Reconstruction and Development Society), has contributed 20 years to the development sector in Nellore and Tirupati districts of Andhra Pradesh. He focuses on small and marginal farmers, emphasizing green gram, red gram, and millets. Guided by the mantra "Our village, our farming," Gangi Reddy spearheads community-involved initiatives at RRDS, promoting sustainable practices and specializing in millet production, processing, and marketing. His collaboration with like-minded NGOs and FPOs highlights his expertise in capacity-building and ground-level implementation.

Vanisha Nambiar, a Professor and researcher at Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, focuses her PhD research on public health nutrition. Her studies include the iron status of women in pearl millet-consuming areas of Banaskantha, Gujarat, and the relationship between anemia prevalence and pearl millet consumption among rural women in Gujarat. Additionally, she assesses the glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of traditional millet-based Indian recipes and investigates iron and zinc content in raw and cooked varieties of pearl millet in Banaskantha District, Gujarat. She also serves as Deputy-Director in the Office of International Affairs at MS University of Baroda.

Varijaksha P. Padmakumar, affiliated with CGIAR and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), conducts research focusing on several key areas. This includes developing machine learning-powered models for Near-Infrared Spectrometers to predict protein content in multiple grain cereals. Additionally, she works on multi-trait improvement in sorghum aimed at optimizing livelihoods within mixed crop-livestock systems. Another significant aspect of her research involves assessing the impact of augmented new cultivar release criteria. Her work contributes to enhancing agricultural productivity and sustainability in diverse farming systems.

Vetriventhan Mani is currently serving as a Senior Scientist in Genetic Resources at the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) in Hyderabad, India. He holds a Ph.D. in Plant Breeding and Genetics, along with an M.Sc. and B.Sc. from Tamil Nadu Agricultural University. His expertise lies in genetic resources management, particularly focusing on crop improvement and conservation strategies tailored for semi-arid environments.

Chef, consultant, author

Dr. Vilas A. Tonapi, Director of the Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad, specializes in seed technology, crop ecology, and seed systems. With extensive experience in research, administration, and management, he focuses on seed quality assurance, climate resilience, and developing community seed systems, while also teaching postgraduate students and working on IPR, plant variety protection, and commercialization.

Prana Shakti Foundation collaborates with Dr. Khadar Vali (Millet Man of India), hosting him at various institutions like DSF, IISRO, and Gujarat Police to promote millets awareness, conduct three-day modules on incorporating millets into daily lifestyle, and organize workshops for farmers focusing on millet farming (Gurukrishi).

Viraj Shah, a Chartered Accountant and Founder of Prana Shakti Foundation, collaborates with Dr. Khadar Vali to promote millets through awareness campaigns, workshops, and festivals. He provides strategic guidance to farmers and startups, facilitating collaborations and connecting with chefs specializing in millet preparations to highlight their healing properties.

Hyderabad-based entrepreneur Vishala Reddy Vuyyala has announced Decode Millet, a 16-month project that aims to connect with a million corporate sector employees in eight cities. Through presentations, fun cooking sessions and pop-ups, she hopes to motivate more people to shed their resistance to consuming millets.https://www.thehindu.com/food/features/hyderabad-entrepreneur-vishala-reddys-project-decode-millet-to-engage-a-million-corporate-employees/article68097245.ece