States » EastPosted at: Nov 10 2026 8:30PM


Odisha Governor calls for Millet consumption in every household

Bhubaneswar, Nov 10 (UNI) Emphasising the importance of healthy eating, sustainable agriculture and preservation of indigenous farming traditions, Odisha Governor Brajmohan Ram on Tuesday urged people, particularly youth, students and government employees, to make millets an integral part of their daily diet and support the conservation of traditional seeds.
Addressing the Symposium on Shree Anna and Strengthening of Traditional Seed Systems–2026 in Bhubaneswar, which he inaugurated, the Governor said the promotion of millets would not only improve public health but also strengthen farmers' livelihoods, protect agricultural biodiversity and contribute to environmental sustainability.
“Every household should include Mandia, Bajra, Jowar and other millets in its meals,” he said, adding that adopting healthy food habits was not merely a matter of personal well-being but also reflected respect for farmers and the country's rich agricultural traditions.
Highlighting the historical and cultural significance of millets, Ram said these crops had been an integral part of India's traditional food systems for centuries. In Odisha, particularly in tribal and rain-fed regions, millet cultivation remained closely associated with local livelihoods, indigenous knowledge and cultural practices.
He called for greater promotion of Mandia (Ragi), saying its cultivation could help enhance farmers' incomes while preserving the state's rich agricultural heritage.
Referring to the growing challenges posed by climate change, erratic rainfall, rising temperatures and water scarcity, the Governor described millets as an important option for climate-resilient agriculture. He pointed out that these crops required less water, involved relatively lower cultivation costs and could withstand adverse climatic conditions.
The Governor also underlined the nutritional benefits of millets, noting their rich dietary fibre content and essential nutrients. Their regular consumption, he said, could encourage healthier eating habits at a time when lifestyle-related diseases such as diabetes, obesity and hypertension were becoming increasingly prevalent.
Stressing the need to develop a stronger millet-based value chain, Ram called for improved processing, packaging, value addition and marketing facilities to enable Odisha's millet products to reach wider domestic and international markets.
He also emphasised the importance of conserving traditional seeds and called for the establishment of community seed banks, systematic documentation of indigenous varieties and promotion of traditional seed-exchange practices.
Describing indigenous seed varieties as a repository of generations of farmers' knowledge, he said their conservation was essential for protecting agricultural biodiversity and ensuring the sustainability of farming systems.
Recognising the contribution of tribal communities and women farmers, the Governor said they played a vital role as custodians of traditional seeds and agricultural knowledge. He advocated integrating their indigenous wisdom with modern science, technology and improved market linkages to strengthen the agricultural sector.
Appreciating the Odisha government's Shree Anna Abhiyan and various initiatives undertaken by the Centre to promote millets, Ram said coordinated efforts to conserve traditional seeds, protect agricultural diversity and improve farmers' incomes would contribute significantly to the vision of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, ICAR Director General Dr Mangi Lal Jat, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation chairperson and former chief scientist Dr Soumya Swaminathan, and Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) Vice-Chancellor Prof Pravat Kumar Roul also addressed the symposium.
UNI DP
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