Bhubaneswar: The women self-help groups (SHGs) of Mission Shakti play a key role in promoting and supporting millet enterprises in Odisha.
At the International Millets Convention-2023, the role of women SHGs in promoting millet production and marketing was highlighted.
The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment in convergence with Department of Mission Shakti, has promoted SHGs and their federations to take up Millet Processing and set up value-addition units under the Odisha Millets Mission Initiative.
On the second day of the International Millets Convention 2023, Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar, Department of Mission Shakti contributed to the dedicated day consisting of a panel discussion focusing on the promotion and significance of millets in sustainable agriculture and women’s empowerment, screening of video, felicitation of 30 best SHGs and addresses by key dignitaries.
Minister, W&CD and Mission Shakti Basanti Hembram, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti, Sujata R Karthikeyan; Advisor, Mission Shakti Dr. Lopamudra Baxipatra graced the session on SHG-led entrepreneurship on the second day of the convention.
Addressing the audience, the Minister shared her insights on the critical role that women’s self-help groups play in the state’s development and their significance in promoting millet cultivation.
During the session, Karthikeyan highlighted how women are now turning towards entrepreneurship through collaboration with different stakeholders such as Odisha Millets Mission.
The women SHGs have harnessed the potential of millets as a sustainable and nutritious food source, benefiting both rural livelihoods and public health.
SHGs have been engaged in various aspects of millet production and value addition. With training and capacity-building programs, helping them adopt modern and sustainable agricultural practices for millet cultivation, Mission Shakti in convergence with Odisha Millets Mission has encouraged the processing and marketing of millet-based products, which has led to increased income for the women involved.
A Coffee Table Book titled “Farm to Plate” encapsulating the inspiring stories of women who have played a pivotal role in the millet value chain was released on the occasion. Besides, 30 Self-Help Groups (SHGs), who have excelled in promoting millet-based entrepreneurship, were felicitated.
During this event, Bruce Poh , Senior Advisor, World Skill Singapore Council & CEO, ITE Education Servicer Pvt. Ltd., Sharmila Oswal, Director of the Center of Excellence Millets Pahle India, Alka Mishra, Chairperson of World Skill Centre, Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director of the Directorate of Agriculture & Food Production, Prema Das, President of Divyajyoti SHG in Sundargarh, Raimati Ghiuria, Director of Bamandei FPO in Koraput, and more than 1500 Mission Shakti SHG members were also present.
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