MAHARISHI (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – IR)

Context: Recently, an Indian G20 delegate mentioned, "China has raised objections to the Sanskrit short form of the millets initiative (MAHARISHI), even though it doesn't have a problem with the proposal itself."

MAHARISHI (Millets And Other Ancient Grains International Research Initiative)

• India's Group of Twenty (G20) millets initiative, MAHARISHI, aimed at strengthening research collaboration for millets, has encountered a Chinese roadblock, hindering its inclusion in the G20 declaration.
• Purpose: Research and awareness about agro-biodiversity, food security, and nutrition aligning with the International Year of Millets 2023
• Secretariat: Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad
• Focus: Nutri-cereals or superfoods, mainly grown on marginal land in dry areas of temperate, sub-tropical, and tropical regions
• Priority Areas: Food Security and Nutrition; Building resilience and sustainable agriculture through approaches of climate resilient agriculture and One Health; Digitalization for Agricultural Transformation; Public-Private Partnerships for Research and Development

About MACS

• The G20 Meeting of Agricultural Chief Scientists (MACS) involves the meeting of ministries or governmental bodies responsible for agricultural research in the respective G20 states as well as leading research institutions that strategically advise these decision-makers. 
• The first meeting of MACS was held in Mexico in 2012.
• Members: Ministries or governmental bodies responsible for agricultural research in the respective G20 states as well as leading research institutions that strategically advise these decision-makers.