Commercial Production of Millet Biscuits Begins in Diktel

Marking the first National Millet Day, Shubham Foundation in Diktel, Khotang, on Friday, August 1, commenced the commercial production of millet biscuits.

Made with millet flour, ghee, milk, and sugar, the Diktel Millet Biscuit is priced at Rs 50 per 100-gram packet.

Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality provided the Foundation with a 50 percent subsidy to purchase the equipment needed for production, as part of its Local Crop Promotion Programme.

The biscuit was formally launched on Friday by Chief of the District Coordination Committee San Bahadur Rai, Chief District Officer Kalpana Shrestha, heads of all three security agencies, and Ward 2 Chairperson Dhruv Bikram Rai.

An exhibition—jointly organised by the Agriculture Knowledge Centre, Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi Municipality, and Shubham Foundation—to mark the day showcased millet-based products including cakes, momos, cookies, sel roti, pudding, and tongba, a traditional alcoholic beverage popular in eastern Nepal.

Shubham Foundation’s Executive Director, Surya Bahadur Rai, said production complies with standards set by the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control.

“The aim is to promote millet-based products and create jobs,” he said. “The product has already entered the market. We also plan to produce other millet-based items according to consumer demand.”

Local farmers hope the initiative will improve market access for their produce.

Acting Mayor Bisan Rai said the municipal government passed the policy through its 17th municipal assembly to preserve local crops and link farmers with production. “However, federal laws hinder local production,” he said. “We are campaigning for legal reforms under the Mayor’s leadership.”

The municipality also plans to introduce millet-based food items, including the newly launched biscuit, as midday snacks in local schools.

To mark National Millet Day, the municipality also hosted a public speaking competition on the value of millet. Bipasa Khanal of Saraswati Secondary School, Diktel, won first prize. Pratap Khatri of Mount Everest Boarding School, Diktel, was declared first runner-up, and Pranisha Rai of Shitala Secondary School, Khalle, second runner-up, while Prajwal Khadka of Jalpa Secondary School, Jalpa, received the consolation prize. The winners received cash prizes of Rs 2,500, Rs 2,250, Rs 2,000, and Rs 1,750, respectively.

According to Tej Prakash Jaisi, Chief of the Agriculture Division of the municipality, additional cash prizes were awarded to farmers engaged in commercial agriculture. 

RSS