Bhubaneswar: The two-day International Symposium on Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods, inaugurated by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhavan today, commenced with its first session titled “Global Status and Challenges of Forgotten Foods/Neglected Crops.”
Dr. Arshiya Noorani, Agriculture Officer (Plant Genetic Resources) at FAO, joined online to discuss recent global developments in Neglected and Underutilized Species (NUS) Crops.
Dr. Sunil Archak, Principal Scientist at NBPGR, highlighted India’s diverse and potential NUS Crops, while Dr. Dayanidhi Mishra, Director of PME, OUAT, addressed Odisha’s agrobiodiversity hotspots and their opportunities for NUS crops. Dr. K S Varaprasad, Senior Consultant for APAARI/GFAR, shared emerging insights from global consultations aimed at developing a Global Manifesto on Forgotten Foods. The session concluded with an open discussion and closing remarks from Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of MSSRF.
The second session, “Processing and Value Addition of Neglected Crops,” facilitated an insightful dialogue on enhancing neglected crops’ value through innovative processing methods. Key speakers included Dr. Nihar Ranjan Sahoo, Professor at AICRP, PHET OUAT, who discussed processing and value addition’s vital role in reviving neglected crops. Sandeep Bhujel, Team Lead at SRIJAN, Maharashtra, shared experiences in marketing and adding value to custard apples, while Dr. Kartik Charan Lenka, Scientist at MSSRF, highlighted neglected crops’ role in improving nutritional security through processing.
Dr. K. Laxminarayan, Principal Scientist at CTCRI, presented on arrowroot processing and value addition, and Dr. Vincent Hema, Associate Professor at NIFTEM-T, discussed techniques for developing nutrient-rich products from neglected crops. The session also featured an open discussion with progressive farmers, including Damuni Hantal from Malkangiri and Jhululata Pradhan from Kandhamal, who shared their valuable experiences in processing and adding value to these crops.
The third session, “Export-Oriented Industry Engagement for Millets,” saw experts sharing insights on advancing millet exports. Abhipsha Priyadarshini, Assistant Agricultural Officer from the Directorate of Agriculture and Food Production, Government of Odisha, set the tone with a welcome address and context-setting.
Key speakers included Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary to the MSME Department, who discussed export opportunities for MSMEs in Odisha’s food sector, and Prem Chandra Chaudhary, Director of Agriculture and Food Production, Odisha, who highlighted opportunities for entrepreneurs in the millet industry.
