Bhubaneswar: Odisha is all set to celebrate the Mandia Dibasa or Millets Dibasa on the first Thursday of the Hindu month of Margasira tomorrow.
Odisha has become the first state in the country to celebrate Millets Dibasa this year.
Keeping in view the importance of Millets in fulfilling the nutrition needs of people, helping farmers with alternate crops and popularizing the usage of millets, the Government of Odisha has decided to celebrate the super food by dedicating a day for it.
The Celebration of the Millets Day will help in creating awareness on millets among masses, Agriculture And Farmers Empowerment Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said earlier.
The state government has decided to enhance the financial assistance to Millets growers from Rs 10,000 per hectare for three years to Rs 26,500 per hectare for five years. The Millet Mission program has also been extended to 34 blocks of eleven districts. In total, the Mission is now helping farmers in 177 Blocks of 30 districts. The Government has also taken steps to distribute quality seeds to the farmers. There are also plans underway to make available required water through major lift irrigation projects to rain deficient farmland. Millets farming can make the women self sufficient.
The State Government has also released the special mascot to celebrate the Millets Day.