Keonjhar: Keonjhar has become the first district in Odisha to include Ragi Ladoo in SC/ST Development (SSD) Department Hostels.
The project for ‘Inclusion of Ragi Ladoo in SC/ST Development Department Hostels of District Keonjhar’ was inaugurated by Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha in the presence of Keonjhar Collector Ashish Thakare and other officials at an event held at the Sanskruti Bhawan, Keonjhar.
The event was also attended by all the headmasters/headmistress of the SSD schools along with one student representative.
The Principal Secretary while appreciating the unique initiative of the district explained the audience about different varieties of Millet and its health benefit. He also emphasized on the `Availability, Accessibility and Affordability’ of Millets to ensure its larger coverage and consumption among the larger public sphere.
The Keonjhar Collector informed that the Ragi Ladoo has been introduced with a core objective to improve the nutritional status of students residing in SC/ST Development (SSD) Hostels in the district.
Ragi Ladoo will be provided as a mowing snack to ensure a portion of daily recommended protein and calcium is provided to the children in such a growing age. This project will also provide livelihood opportunities to the SHGs engaged in Take Home Ration (THR) units supported by Mission Shakti.
Under this project, One Ragi Ladoo/day will be served to the residents of SSD hostels in addition to the existing Mid-Day Meal (MDM).
Ragi Ladoo Mix will be delivered from THR units to the SSD Hostels and Ladoo will be prepared by existing cooks of the SSD Hostels.
The project has started off with one-month pilot in 35 SSD hostels of Sadar block from and further it will be expanded to all 334 SSD hostels in the district from December 2022. The project will cover around 39,000 students residing in the SSD hostels.
The project has been approved under DMF Keonjhar with an annual budget provision of Rs 1.57 crore Five women progressive millet farmers were felicitated for their performance and provided with the smartphones. Along with this, 19 women SHGs engaged in THR units were provided with digital tablets to ensure digital bookkeeping and accounting.
After inauguration of the event at Sankruti Bhawan, the Principal Secretary visited Naranpur SSD School where he formally launched Ragi Ladoo and had first ladoo with the students. He also interacted with the children and teachers to understand their aspirations and academic progress.
Earlier, millet initiatives taken up in District Keonjhar under Odisha Millets Mission were appreciated by Niti Aayog and hailed as a unique model in the country with decentralized production, procurement, processing, supply and consumption of millets.