Hyderabad/Bhubaneswar: Promotion of millets in Odisha got a shot in the arm as Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) received the award for ‘Global Model on Millet Promotion’ at International Nutri-Cereal Convention (INCC) 5.0 organised by the Indian Institute of Millets Research in Hyderabad from November 27 to 28. The theme of the convention was ‘Mainstreaming Millets Now & Beyond 2023’ which underscores the importance of these ancient grains in today’s time. The convention was graced by high-level delegates including government officials, policy experts, researchers, FMCGs, and others.
The convention was represented by Principal Secretary of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department Arabinda Kumar Padhee and scheme officer Kalpana Pradhan, along with Mission Shakti women SHG representatives from Swayam Shradha Mahila Mahasangha. Padhee thanked IIMR, NutriHub, Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and the jury members for recognising Odisha Millets Mission as a ‘Global Model on Millet Promotion’. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for his vision and impeccable commitment which made this possible. Padhee dedicated the award to real heroes of Odisha Millets Mission – the farmers, women SHGs, custodian seed savers, farmer producer organisations, voluntary organisations, his colleagues, and department officers. He emphasised the participatory approach of OMM which paved the way for its successful implementation and recognised as a replicable and scalable model for the revival of millets.
Recognition of OMM for Poshak Anaaj Awards at INCC 5.0 is befitting due to its pro-people farm-to-plate approach which brings multiple stakeholders under a single platform to address the issues of food security, nutrition, climate change, women empowerment and entrepreneurship opportunities. From providing seed to promoting improved agronomic practices, conserving traditional landraces, ensuring market access through MSP, and creating an enabling environment to develop entrepreneurship with a special focus on empowering farmers and women’s collective, OMM has comprehensively revived millets in Odisha and paved the way for the rest of the country and world as a model programme. Odisha is also the first state in the country to dedicate a day (November 10) to celebrating Millet Day or Mandia Dibasa.