Bhubaneswar: The fifth edition of Mandia Dibasa (Millet Day) concluded here on Wednesday, with a focus on promoting natural farming, encouraging grassroots-level agricultural innovation and strengthening Odisha’s millet-based economy.
Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, attended the concluding day’s programme at Mayfair Convention and emphasised the importance of natural farming, traditional agricultural knowledge and innovation at the grassroots level in advancing sustainable agriculture.
Three technical sessions were organised on the second day, covering sustainable agricultural practices, grassroots innovation and enterprise development.
The first session, titled “Natural Farming and Millets: Reviving Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Agriculture”, was organised by the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, Government of Odisha. It focused on the role of traditional knowledge and natural farming practices in promoting sustainable millet cultivation.
The second session, titled “Pioneers of Grassroots Innovation: Inspiring Success Stories of Farmers and Agri-Entrepreneurs”, highlighted innovative initiatives and success stories of farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs. It was also organised by the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production.
The third session, conducted by the Indian Institute of Millets Research, focused on “Millet-Based Economy of Odisha: Enterprise Development and Market Linkages”. Discussions centred on strengthening millet-based enterprises and exploring opportunities to improve market linkages and expand the millet value chain.
A book titled “Improved Cultivation Practices of Millets” was released during the concluding day’s programme. The publication is expected to provide farmers and other stakeholders with practical information and guidance on improved millet cultivation techniques.
The valedictory session was attended by Dr Poma Tudu, Director of Agriculture and Food Production; Subrat Kumar Panda, Director of Soil Conservation and Watershed Development; and Arun Kumar Behera, Director of IMAGE, among others.
Progressive farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and women-led enterprises were felicitated during the closing ceremony in recognition of their contributions to millet promotion and agricultural development in Odisha.
The two-day convention was organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha, under the theme “Community-Led Seed System and Agrobiodiversity for Resilient Food Systems”.
Policymakers, agricultural experts, researchers, farmers, entrepreneurs and partner organisations participated in the convention and deliberated on strengthening sustainable agricultural practices, conserving agrobiodiversity and creating new opportunities across the millet value chain.
