Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan lauded Odisha’s pioneering initiatives in conserving agricultural heritage and promoting Shree Anna (Millets).
Speaking at the two-day International Symposium on Shree Anna (Millets) and Women Farmers 2025, organised by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Chouhan commended Odisha for being the only state to dedicate a specific day as Millet Day (Mandia Dibasa) and for its leadership in enhancing millet production and supplying millets to other states.
He further highlighted the remarkable contribution of women farmers in these efforts.
The Union Minister further noted that Odisha is the first state to issue guidelines for the conservation of landraces, as well as guidelines for testing women-centric agricultural machinery. He appreciated the department’s publication of the Millet Foundation Guide, the first-of-its-kind, which compiles research data and knowledge resources on Shree Anna.
While the inaugural session was attended by Chouhan and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, the closing ceremony of the Symposium was graced by Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati.
