Bhubaneswar, Oct 11 : Odisha should lead the way in creating the roadmap for millets for next decade, both Nationally and Internationally, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said here on Wednesday.
Chairing an Apex Committee meeting attended by Chief Secretary, and other senior officers, Patnaik said Odisha should aim to become a Centre of excellence for other states and countries.
The Chief Minister called upon all to extend full support to make the International Convention on Millets to be held on November 10 and 11, a grand success.
Odisha is the only state to hold such an international convention on millets. The year 2023 is being celebrated as the International Year of Millets.The theme of the convention is ‘Millets—Ancient Grains for Modern Challenges’.
The event will highlight the aspect of millets and tribal communities of Odisha. About 4000 to 5000 farmers, Women SHG members, Farmer-Producer Organisations will attend the convention which will showcase tribal culture, tribal cuisine, millet diversity, Business to Business sessions, round tables, technical sessions, demonstrations on machineries, packaging technologies, and special sessions for farmers, international millets food festival, and art and culture.
Patnaik said the Convention will highlight millet food cultures of tribal communities of Odisha and showcase the trailblazing success stories of the Farmers Mission Shakti Groups.
He said Millets have been a traditional crop for tribal farmers since times immemorial. They are climate resilient and a powerhouse of nutrition. As climate change emerges as a prominent challenge of our times, this humble crop is emerging as a hope for our future, the Chief Minister said.
Expressing happiness over the success of Odisha Millets Mission, he said that it is very satisfying to see that the efforts of Odisha Millets Mission are now recognized by national and international agencies as the best model for promotion of millets.
Patnaik thanked the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment for initiating the International Convention on Millets.
Mission Shakti Minister Basanti Hembram said the convention would further improve the livelihoods for tribal people in the state.
