Odisha Hosts First Global Millet Convention to Promote Small-Seed Crops

BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government on Thursday registered its name as the first state in the country to organize a two-day international level convention.

Christened International Convention on Millets (ICM), the event was inaugurated here at Janata Maidan by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in the presence of many experts working in the field of millet cultivation and consumption.

With the theme ‘Millets – Ancient Grains for Modern Challenges,’ the ICM features farmer engagement activities, displaying emerging technologies and farm machineries, experience centres, technical sessions, policy roundtables, B2B meetings, international food festival, quiz competitions, cooking competitions and many more.

According to the top officials of the state government, the main purpose of the ICM is to awaken people to the high nutritional value of millets and promote its cultivation and consumption not only in the state and country, but also across the globe.

The ICM, as informed by the state government, will focus on the tribal heritage of millets and showcase success stories of millet entrepreneurship of Mission Shakti self-help groups.

“Millets are traditional grains, climate resilient and a powerhouse of nutrition. Millets can play an important role in achieving nutritional security. The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year for Millets. Odisha is the first state to organise such an international convention involving all the stakeholders.”

“We launched the Millet Mission in Odisha in 2017. To encourage millet production, we have increased direct benefit transfer to the farmers and laid out assured procurement of millets. The Odisha government is investing Rs 2,500 crore for providing income and livelihood support to farmers,” he said.

Speaking about the SHGs, Patnaik said, “It is very heartening to see the women SHGs and their involvement in the millet value chain. They have shown the world how millet-based enterprises can play an important role in appealing the taste buds of the consumers and improving their livelihood as well.”

Odisha produces different types of millets such as Sorghum Millet (Jowar), Proso Millet (Chena / Barri), Pearl Millet (Bajra), Foxtail Millet (Kakum / Kangni), Finger Millet (Ragi), Browntop Millet (Korle), Barnyard Millet (Sanwa), Little Millet, (Moraiyo). Buckwheat Millet (Kuttu), Amaranth Millet (Rajgira) and Kodo Millet.

In fact, food items prepared from millets grown in Odisha were served to the dignitaries of G20 New Delhi Summit held in September this year.

The state government has already introduced ragi laddoo mix, made from ragi (locally called mandia) in the Anganwadi menu and mid-day meal scheme for school children.

Millet is one of the oldest cultivated grains in Odisha and has been grown throughout the state for thousands of years. Today, it's one of the most important cereals around India.

The small round grains are so important because they're hardy and easy to store for years without insect damage.