District-Level Millets Day Celebrated in Mayurbhanj ,Focus on Promoting Millet Cultivation and Nutritious Food

Baripada, November 7: Emphasising the expansion of millet cultivation and increasing its consumption, the district-level Millets Day was celebrated today at the Prayas Conference Hall in Baripada. The guests encouraged farmers to cultivate millets on fallow upland areas and include millet-based food in their daily diets. It is worth mentioning that the Odisha Government has declared November 10 as Millets Day. On this occasion, Member of Parliament Naba Charan Majhi attended the programme as the Chief Guest. Saraskana MLA Bhadav Hansdah, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Bharati Hansdah and District Chief Agriculture Officer Gyan Ballav Das attended as Guests of Honour. The dignitaries highlighted the economic and nutritional benefits of millet cultivation. They pointed out that millets require less water for cultivation and advised farmers to increase production on unused upland areas. They also appreciated the millet farmers of Mayurbhanj district for bringing laurels to the district by receiving awards at state and international levels. The farmers were also informed about the government's incentive scheme for millet cultivation, under which financial assistance of up to Rs. 26,500 per hectare is provided over a maximum period of five years. Farmers from different blocks of the district, college students and officials from various departments participated in the programme. On the occasion, different organisations displayed and served a variety of delicious food items prepared from millets. Progressive farmers from various blocks and members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) were also felicitated with awards for their contributions. All the Agriculture Officers of the district coordinated the programme, while other staff members actively extended their cooperation to make the event successful.