Bhubaneswar, Nov 9 : Odisha is a pioneer in designing a people centric millet mission with focus on livelihoods and nutrition of tribal communities, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said.
Inaugurating International Convention on Millets on Thursday, Patnaik said the government will put all the efforts to make Odisha become a centre for excellence and contribute to economic growth, wellbeing, and health of the people of the state.
Welcoming the national and international guests, he said the convention will prepare a global roadmap for millets.
The Chief Minister said the Millets are traditional grains, climate resilient and a power house of nutrition and could play an important role in achieving nutritional security.
Humble millets, the Chief Minister said, are emerging as hope for our future with the United Nations declaring 2023 as International Year of Millets.
Odisha, Naveen said, is the first state to organize such an International Convention involving all the stakeholders.
The Odisha Millets Mission, Patnaik said, was launched in 2017 with a focus to revive the millets and to encourage millet cultivation, the state has increased the direct benefit incentives for millets and laid out assured procurement of ragi.
The state government, he further said, is investing over Rs. 2500 crore for providing income and livelihood support to farmers.
The CM called upon all to spread word about the millet mission so that every eligible farmer can become part of this journey.
Praising the role of Mission Shakti Women Self Help Groups in the millet value chain, he said that under the brand of “Millet Shakti”, Mission Shakti Groups have showed the world how millet-based enterprises can play an important role in appealing to taste buds of consumers and improve livelihoods.
Patnaik hoped a roadmap for millets for the future would be prepared at this international convention.
He commended the efforts of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment for organizing this grand event and thanked all the stakeholders and organizations who have supported our efforts in taking millets to millions.
Naveen awarded Sundergarh, Koraput, Rayagada and Nuapada districts for best production district in millets. Sundergarh topped the list among districts. He also released a Coffee Table Book, Special Postal Cover and felicitated 5 millet farmers for achieving exceptional success in millet production.
Speaking on the occasion, Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said now millets are cultivated in 177 blocks of all districts, adding, the Mission Shakti women are leading millets cultivation and processing.
ICAR DG Himansu Pathak said that ICAR will provide all support for growth of millets. ICAR, he said, has developed 125 varieties of 9 millets in the last 5 years.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg said Odisha Millets are an intrinsic part of tribals’ food culture in the state and the government will encourage farmers to take up millet farming in a big way.
Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative in India Mr Takayuki Hagiwara said millet can transform the agricultural landscape of India.
International music composer, grammy award winner Rickey Kej, and celebrity chef Mr Vikash Khanna also joined the programme as brand ambassadors.
