Bhubaneswar: In a bid to underscore the significance of millets in promoting nutrition and sustainable agriculture, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the International Convention on Millets in Bhubaneswar today. With a focus on bolstering the state’s agricultural sector, particularly for the welfare of rain-fed farmers, the convention aimed to provide a platform for stakeholders to chart a global roadmap for millets.
CM Patnaik underscored Odisha’s commitment to becoming a center of excellence in the promotion of millets, emphasizing their role in ensuring economic prosperity and improving the well-being of the state’s populace. He emphasized the implementation of direct benefit incentives and assured procurement of ragi to encourage millet cultivation, underlining the government’s substantial investment of over Rs. 2500 Crore to support farmer livelihoods.
The CM also praised the contributions of Mission Shakti Women Self Help Groups under the brand “Millet Shakti,” showcasing the vital role of millet-based enterprises in enhancing livelihoods and appealing to consumer tastes. The event witnessed the felicitation of districts and farmers for outstanding contributions to millet cultivation, along with the release of a Coffee Table Book and a Special Postal Cover.
As the United Nations designates 2023 as the International Year of Millets, the convention in Odisha stands as a testament to the state’s pioneering efforts in organizing an international event involving key stakeholders.