Odisha targets to produce 1 lakh quintal ragi this year

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has set a target to produce 1 lakh quintal ragi under its Millets Mission this year.

As part of promotion of millets, the government will also award the farmers for achieving success in ragi production in 2019.

Sources said that as many as 14 farmers of 14 districts will be rewarded during a programme in Bhubaneswar on the occasion of World Food Day scheduled on October 16.

In this regard, the Millets Mission Joint Director has written to deputy directors of agriculture departments in 14 districts to identify the ragi farmers with success stories.

According to reports, Odisha Millets Mission was launched in 2017 to revive millets in farms and on the plates. Initially, the scheme was implemented in 30 blocks of seven districts. Later, the programme was implemented in 55 blocks of 11 districts to benefit about 5 lkah farmers especially in rain deficit areas of the state.

Currently, the ragi is being cultivated in 14 districts including undivided Koraput.

In 2018-19, around 18,000 quintal ragi was produced in the districts included Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Rayagada, Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balangir, Sundargarh, Keonjhar and Bargarh. The government has decided to procure ragi from these districts from November 15 by providing remunerative price of Rs 3,150 per quintal to the ragi growing farmers.

In order to promote millet farming in the state, the government has decided to continue the Millets Mission till March 2023.

In view of success of Odisha Millets Mission, recently the NITI Aayog had also recommended to yield ragi in all the states.

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