Odisha Leads India’s Millet Revolution: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

• Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded Odisha for turning the vision of Shree Anna into grassroots action.
• He called for millet inclusion in mid-day meal schemes and praised women farmers for their leadership.
• Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi said millets reflect the state’s heritage and future.
• Experts from IRRI, WHO, and the World Food Programme also attended the event.

GG News Bureau
Bhubaneswar, 10th Nov: Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, inaugurated the Mandia Dibasa (Millet Day) celebrations at Lok Seva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, on Monday, hailing Odisha’s leadership in promoting millets and transforming the Shree Anna vision into a national movement.

“Mandia Dibasa is not just a celebration; it represents a meaningful campaign to promote Shree Anna. Odisha has truly brought this vision to life,” said Chouhan, commending the state government for its ground-level efforts in advancing millet cultivation and awareness.

He described millets as a symbol of nutrition, water conservation, and sustainability, noting that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, they have earned global recognition. The Minister also called for greater awareness and research around millets’ nutritional and ecological benefits.

Highlighting the cost-effectiveness of millet cultivation, Chouhan urged scientists to focus on processing technologies, terming it “the most crucial link in the millet value chain.” He praised Odisha for being the first state to procure Shree Anna at Minimum Support Price (MSP), setting an example for others.

The Minister proposed incorporating millets into school mid-day meals and opening millet outlets in government departments to further boost awareness and consumption. Applauding Odisha’s women farmers, he said, “Agriculture cannot progress without women. Odisha’s women have taken the lead and are driving change.”

Odisha Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, in his address, said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has achieved several agricultural milestones. He added that farming remains the backbone of Odisha’s economy and that the Millet Mission has empowered small and women farmers across the state.

The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Dr. Yvonne Pinto (Director General, IRRI), Dr. Soumya Swaminathan (Former Chief Scientist, WHO), Miss Elisabeth Faure (Country Director, World Food Programme), and senior state officials including Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee and Shubham Saxena.