Read the full article titled “Odisha is the Pioneer in Millet Mission Activities” in Pragathivadi
In his inaugural address Sri Tripathy said, “Odisha Millet Mission was launched in the year 2017 and now it has been extended to 72 blocks in 14 districts in tribal areas. Odisha is also the first State to introduce millets in public distribution system. Niti Ayog have recognized Odisha as a progressive model State in nutri-cereals.
Presenting key note address to the Seminar Agriculture Production Commissioner, Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra said, ” Odisha Milliet Mission is a unique initiative for revival and promotion of millet production. It has become a model for other States. Government of India has also recommended other states to follow Odisha model”.
Addressing the Workshop Principal Secretary Agriculture & Farmer’s Empowerment Sourav Garg said, ” Odisha Millet Mission is a unique partnership model wherein the Government, academia and civil society have joined together to implement the programmes through farmer producer organizations. It is built on a comprehensive approach that includes production, processing, consumption, value addition and marketing. Around 50,000 farmers have been mobilized to take up millet cultivation with improved agronomic practices. State Government has already started procurement of surplus millet from the farmers. This year the procurement target has been enhanced to I lakh ton. The government is planning for inclusion of suitable millets in ICDS, MDM and PDS.
Guest of Honour Director, Country Relations of International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhi said that millets were climate resilient crops and can be grown under stressed rain-fed conditions. People of south and west Odisha possessed skill of millet production over generations. The high lands of the State have vast scope for millet cultivation as well. ICRISAT would provide the technology and international best practices for improving productivity in the State.
