Bhubaneswar: Odisha is intensifying efforts to establish itself as the millet hub of India, with a focus on conserving indigenous millet varieties, strengthening traditional seed systems and expanding market opportunities for farmers.
Governor Braj Mohan Ram inaugurated the two-day ‘Symposium on Shree Anna and Strengthening Seed System for Landraces-2026’ at a Bhubaneswar hotel.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who holds the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy portfolios, also attended the inaugural programme.
Addressing the inaugural session, the governor emphasised the need to conserve indigenous millet landraces, popularise millet-based food and encourage people to include millets in their daily diets.
He expressed gratitude to farmers for safeguarding Odisha’s rich agricultural heritage and commended their dedication in establishing Odisha as the Millet Hub of India.
Singh Deo highlighted the importance of preserving indigenous seed varieties, enhancing millet production, strengthening FPOs and expanding market opportunities for farmers.
He said collective efforts in these areas would help safeguard the state’s agricultural heritage, enhance farmers’ prosperity and strengthen Odisha’s agricultural future.
He also highlighted that Odisha is the only state in India celebrating Mandia Divas on a grand scale. Emphasising the state government’s initiatives to promote organic cultivation and popularise millets, Singh Deo noted Odisha’s rapid emergence as the Millet Hub of India.
The Deputy Chief Minister further remarked on India’s agricultural transformation, noting that the country had evolved from being a grain-importing nation into a self-sufficient country and a global contributor to food security.
The event was attended by the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, the Chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, the Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, the Director of the Directorate of Agriculture & Food Production, agricultural scientists and farmers from across the state.
The governor also inaugurated an exhibition showcasing a range of millet-based products.
The symposium aims to conserve and promote traditional millet landraces, enhance millet productivity, strengthen Farmer Producer Organisations, establish robust market linkages for farmers, and popularise millet-based food culture across rural and urban areas.
