Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has decided to celebrate the first ever ‘Mandia Dibasa’ or ‘Millet Divas’ on the 10th of November, 2022, the first Thursday of the month of Margasira in the Hindu calendar.
Principal Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Development and Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Arabinda K Padhee had informed that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the celebration of ‘Millets Divas’. The aim of celebrating the day is to promote ‘mandia’ or millets as a highly nutritive food product. Millet is a rich source of protein, dietary fibre, some vitamins and numerous dietary minerals.
Odisha Millets Mission, a flagship programme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha, was launched in 2017 to revive millet farming and also on plates in the State. It emerged from consultation between Government, Academia (NCDS) and Civil Society Organisations (RRA Network, ASHA Network and local NGOs). It is the first of its kind agriculture programme with a priority on increasing consumption in Odisha.
Odisha is the first State to include ‘ragi laddu’ in ICDS through the support of District Mineral Foundations, it is also providing ‘mandia’ under the Public Distribution System at Rs 2 per kg to a ration cardholder.
Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain and Secretary of Agriculture and Farmers Development Arabinda K Padhee tweeted to introduce ‘beautiful Milli’ in a Sambalpuri saree and Indian hockey team jersey.
B’ful Milli, the mascot for @MilletsOdisha is all set to sail with us for the ensuing #MilletDivas on November 10, @FIH_Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023 in January and the #InternationalYearOfMillets. #MandiaDibasa #ମାଣ୍ଡିଆଦିବସ #IYoM2023 pic.twitter.com/1ojYPqo8Z5
— Arabinda K Padhee (@arvindpadhee) October 26, 2022
Notably, the state government is already promoting the cultivation of the Nutri-cereal in 142 blocks across 19 districts, involving 1,92,281 small and marginal farmers.
On August 12, the state government sanctioned Rs 362 crore under Odisha Millets Mission launched in 2017 to revive millet in farms and on plates in the state.
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