Bhubaneswar: The global stage is set to learn about the remarkable journey of millet cultivation and its nutritional prowess from two custodian women farmers of Odisha. On the prestigious platform of the G20 Summit scheduled for September 9th in New Delhi, the world will be introduced to the inspiring success story of millet by Raimati Ghuria of Koraput and Subasa Mohanta of Mayurbhanj.
Raimati, a resident of Nuaguda village in Kundra block of Koraput, embarked on her journey in agrobiodiversity and agriculture in 2002, closely collaborating with the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). Her passion for preserving traditional crops, including indigenous rice varieties and millets, became her life’s mission.
She manages a Gene Bank and Seed Bank in her village and the Farm School established with support from the Indian Overseas Bank. Her contributions to women empowerment, conservation efforts and farmer capacity-building have earned her numerous national and state awards. She’s also renowned as an organic farming trainer.
Recognized as a Custodian Farmer by the Government of Odisha in 2022, Raimati has conserved over 72 traditional rice varieties and 30 millet varieties. Some of these have proven to outperform high-yielding varieties (HYVs) in farmer field conditions. Her efforts led to release of landraces by the Government of Odisha.
Subasa, from Goili in in Jashipur block of Mayurbhanj, began her journey with millets in 2018 when she cultivated finger millets (Ragi) on a fallow piece of land near her home. Within two months, she harvested her first crop, selling a portion and using the rest for her family and as seeds for the next planting. Her commitment grew, and she expanded her Ragi farming to two acres in 2019, even conducting participatory varietal trials.
In 2020, Subasa cultivated four acres of land, yielding 28 quintals of Ragi, while also conserving various millet varieties. She’s now known as ‘Mandia Maa,’ supporting small and marginal farmers in her grampanchayat and beyond. Her efforts were recognized at a National workshop on Nutri-cereals (Millet) in Bhubaneswar, where she was felicitated by the Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha.
Both Raimati and Subasa will take their inspiring stories to the international stage at the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Their dedication to millet cultivation and sustainable farming practices aligns with global goals for nutrition, agriculture, and sustainability. Their achievements serve as a shining example of how small-scale farmers can drive positive change and contribute to food security.
The G20 Summit will provide them with a unique opportunity to showcase the importance of millet cultivation and its potential impact on global agriculture. Their contributions to millet cultivation, conservation, and community empowerment serve as an inspiration to farmers worldwide. As they step onto the global stage, their story will undoubtedly shine a spotlight on the potential of millets and the vital role of women farmers in sustainable agriculture.
