Malkangiri: Government of Odisha has launched an Odisha Millet Mission in 2017 to revive millets in farms and on plates. The programme was started in 30 blocks in 2017 covering 7 districts in 2017. Due to good response, it has been scaled up to 72 blocks covering 14 districts of state of Odisha.
Chitrakonda Block of Malkangiri district is one of the blocks taken up under the Odisha Millets Mission. Due to lack of connectivity villages of Swabhiman Anchal of Chitrakonda block take the advantages of the government schemes. With construction of Gurupriya sethu, many opportunities have opened for the people of Swabhiman Anchal. Government of Odisha has allocated Rs 100 cr under sethu project for development of Swabhiman Anchal.
In this context, 1st Mandia mandi was organised in the Badapada GP of the Swabhiman Anchal on December 23rd 2019. Mandia Mandi was inaugurated by Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment and FARD Department Arun Kumar Sahoo.
Inauguration of the ragi mandi was also attended by S P Thakur, KBK Administrator cum ACS, Sl M Muthukumar, Director of Agriculture & Food production, Manas Madkami, Chairman – SDC, Dasratha Padiami, President Zila Parishad and Manish Agarwal Collector & District Magistrate.
Minister Dr Arun Kumar Sahoo said that Odisha Millets Mission is the vision of Naveen Patnaik. This vision aims to create sustainable livelihoods through increased production, assured procurement and crating awareness. Odisha Millets Mission has now become a model for the country. He said that as a child he used to consume Mandia Pejo. He is very happy to see the new strides made by the Odisha Millets Mission. He assured full support of the government for promotion of millets in the Swabhiman Anchal. He said that better prices will also be realized for millets as connectivity has been established through Gurupriya Sethu.
The Minister also visited the nearby villages and interacted with the Women SHG members and farmers. He has said that turmeric in organic manner shall be promoted in the Swabhiman Anchal. Special plan shall also be developed under Sethu project for development of the region.
Manish Agarwal Collector & District Magistrate said that a detailed plan is being developed for the Swabhiman Anchal with focus on millet, turmeric, AdarshBagicha and rainfed agriculture. Special programme for integrated farming is also considered for extension to Swabhiman Anchal. Focus will be on organic branding, marketing and value addition through SHGs.
Nearly 1000 people have attended the inauguration of Mandia Mandi. Around 102 Quintals from 200 farmers was procured by the procurement agency TDCCOL during the inaugural mandi in the Swabhiman Anchal on December 23rd 2019. Many farmers from hilly region have bought their Mandia by horses and have expressed immense satisfaction for recognizing the crop of the adivasis. Farmers have assured to take up more millet cultivation.
Comments are closed.