Odisha: 2-day International Convention on millets to begin in Bhubaneswar today
Bhubaneswar: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment is gearing up to host the International Convention on Millets, scheduled for today and tomorrow at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.
The event will be inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Odisha. Notably, since last year, November 10 has been celebrated as Mandia Day (Millets Day) in Odisha, marked by various international conferences aimed at promoting millet usage and raising public awareness about this nutritious grain.
The conference is expected to draw more than 300 participants from 30 districts of the state. Odisha holds the distinction of being the first state in India to organize an international convention dedicated to millets. Millets now enjoy Minimum Support Prices (MSP) akin to paddy, with approximately 260,000 hectares currently dedicated to millet cultivation. This shift has significantly boosted the income of tribal communities.
The Odisha Millet Mission has gained recognition from NITI Aayog, and the state government is actively devising strategies to extend this successful model to other Indian states. Their long-term vision includes taking this initiative to international platforms to advocate for millet promotion globally.
It’s worth noting that in 2021, Odisha was honored as the best-performing state in millet promotion at the National Convention on Nutri Cereals. In 2023, the International Year of Millets is being celebrated, further underscoring the importance of this nutritious grain.
