Eastern Nepal of Khotang : In eastern Nepal’s Khotang, the commercial production of ‘Diktel Millet Biscuits,’ prepared from millet flour, has been launched on the occasion of the ‘First National Millet Day 2082,’ according to a report prepared by the National News Agency of Nepal.

With 50% grant support from the Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, Shubham Foundation installed equipment and began commercial production of millet biscuits under the brand name ‘Diktel Millet Biscuit,’ bringing them to the market. The biscuits, made using millet flour, ghee, milk, and sugar, are packaged in 100-gram packets priced at Rs. 50 each.

The biscuits, produced under the municipality’s indigenous crop promotion program, were jointly unveiled by Sun Bahadur Rai, Chief of the District Coordination Committee Khotang; Chief District Officer Kalpana Shrestha; heads of the three security agencies; and Ward No. 2 Chairman Dhruv Bikram Rai of Solma, among others.

To mark the First National Millet Day, various millet-based food items were also exhibited alongside the biscuits. The event was jointly organized by the Agriculture Knowledge Center Khotang, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, and Shubham Foundation. Items on display included cakes, momos, cookies, sel roti, dry roti, kheer, and tongba prepared from millet.

According to Shubham Foundation Executive Director Surya Bahadur Rai, the biscuits meet the standards set by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control. “We started the commercial production of ‘Diktel Millet Biscuits’ to promote millet-based cuisine and create employment opportunities. We are sending the biscuits to the market starting today,” he said, adding, “Shubham Foundation also produces other millet-based items, which will be made available based on consumer demand.”

As millet produced in the district will be consumed by the industry operated by Shubham Foundation, local farmers are expected to benefit with easier income opportunities. “To promote local products is the only way to achieve prosperity. The millet biscuits produced by Shubham Foundation are delicious, high-quality, and healthy,” said DCC Chief Rai. “It is necessary to modernize the traditionally consumed millet products, and Shubham Foundation has taken the initiative. Everyone should support its promotion.”

Acting Mayor Bishan Rai of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality informed that the policy and program to promote indigenous crops and link farmers to production was passed and implemented from the 17th municipal assembly. “We have implemented a farmer program with the Deputy Chief to increase municipal income. This program has helped many farmers turn professional,” he said, adding, “However, federal law has been a hindrance to promoting local products. We are also staging movements under the leadership of the Mayor to amend and implement it.”

The municipality also stated that preparations are underway to use millet-based products, including biscuits, as mid-day snacks for students studying in schools within the municipality. According to health workers, consuming millet products has medicinal benefits such as controlling diabetes, heart disease, and anemia, strengthening bones, and increasing blood levels.

On the occasion of National Millet Day, the municipality also organized a speech competition on the importance of millet. Bipasa Khanal from Saraswati Secondary School Diktel won first place, Pratap Khatri from Mount Everest Boarding School Diktel came second, Pranisha Rai from Shitala Secondary School Khale came third, and Prajwal Khadka from Jalpa Secondary School Jalpa received a consolation prize.

The winners of the speech competition were awarded cash prizes of Rs. 2,500, Rs. 2,250, Rs. 2,000, and Rs. 1,750 respectively. In the program, farmers engaged in production-based commercial farming were also awarded cash prizes, according to Tej Prakash Jaisi, Chief of the Agriculture Division of the municipality.