Winner of the International Year of Millets 2023 Photo Contest: Jonathon Rees

In celebration of the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023, FAO launched a global photo contest open to professional and amateur photographers. The response was overwhelming, with 800+ contributions pouring in from over 50 countries. The photos captured the many benefits of millets including  their diversity, capacity to thrive on arid lands  and to create nutritious dishes  and market opportunities. 

After careful deliberation by an international jury composed of photographers, photo editors, agronomists and communication specialists, FAO is delighted to announce the winner of the photo contest: Jonathon Rees from South Africa. His winning photograph depicts Maria Nakumbwata, a farmer harvesting pearl millet in northern Namibia

©Jonathon Rees

As the winner of the photo contest, Jonathon Rees is invited to the official IYM 2023 closing ceremony in March 2024, when his contribution will be formally recognized.

The excitement of the photo contest continued with a public vote on the FAO Facebook page to determine the runner up. Raj Adhikari’s compelling photo, “Role of women in millet conservation”  received the second prize. The photo highlights the important role of women in the cultivation and conservation of millets and their great cultural and nutritional significance for Nepalese communities, especially in small rural villages. 

©Raj Adhikari

FAO extends gratitude to all participants of the photo contest for their enthusiasm and contributions to making the IYM 2023 a global success. “Let's continue to celebrate the diversity of millets and their significance in transforming food systems to benefit communities in drylands where the majority of the world's most vulnerable populations reside” said Fenton Beed, FAO Senior Agricultural Officer.

See the winning photos here.