Bhubaneswar: Odisha is going to celebrate the first ever Mandia Dibasa on Thursday to promote the super food millets as the best alternative to improve nutritional security and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The Government of Odisha through various departments has planned a number of programs to celebrate the day across the state.
The Agriculture Department, the flag bearer for this ambitious program has also come up with the mascot – Milli as an ambassador to spread the message of millets.
Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment Department, Government of Odisha has taken to Twitter and requested all netizens to spread the word and create awareness on millets and celebrate the first ever Mandia Dibas with much enthusiasm.
He wrote, “ With the first ever Mandia Dibasa (Nov 10) just few days away, I request all friends/followers to kindly promote #millets through their social media accounts with hashtags #MandiaDibasa #ମାଣ୍ଡିଆଦିବସ #MilletDivas #Milli, etc. May consider tagging @MilletsOdisha in the posts, pl.”
With the approval of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the first Thursday in the month of Margasira, which falls on November 10 this year, it has been decided to be observed as the ‘Mandia Divas’.
Odisha has been promoting the cultivation and usage of Millets in the state for the last few years and has achieved tremendous success in reintroducing it as a viable nutrient as it is a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, several B vitamins and numerous dietary minerals, especially manganese.
The Government of Odisha is promoting the cultivation of millets in 142 blocks across 19 districts involving small and marginal farmers. It has also sanctioned an amount of Rs 362 crore this year under Odisha Millets Mission to revive millet farming in the State. Odisha is also the first state in the country to introduce Millet Laddu in the ICDS program.
The United Nations has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, and the Government of India is also planning to celebrate this in a grand manner by organizing programs the whole year.