• Dr. M.L. Jat emphasizes increasing the cultivation area of millets to 5 lakh hectares and achieving a production target of 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047
  • Two-day national event on agro-biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems begins in Bhubaneswar

A two-day national event on agro-biodiversity conservation, climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable food systems began in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on November 10, 2026. On this occasion, Odisha Governor Shri Braj Mohan Ram, Odisha Government's Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Minister Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, DARE Secretary and ICAR Director General Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation Chairperson Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, and Odisha Government's Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment Department Commissioner-cum-Secretary Shri Sachin Ramchandra Jadhav (IAS) along with several prominent agricultural scientists, policymakers and other stakeholders were present.

The event formally began with the inaugural session. This was followed by a tour of exhibition stalls, where agricultural innovations, local crop diversity and millet-based products were showcased. Interactions with farmers also took place.

Addressing the attendees, Dr. Jat emphasized utilizing Odisha's rich agro-biodiversity. He said that to tackle major challenges like climate change, soil health and nutrition, greater focus should be placed on crops like millets, while promoting local food systems for the 'One Health' approach.

Dr. Jat also mentioned the success of the 'Odisha Shri Anna Abhiyan' and said it can become a national model for millet-based agricultural transformation. He emphasized increasing the cultivation area of millets from 1.79 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares and achieving a production target of 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047. The achievement of 7.5 lakh quintals in ragi procurement during KMS 2024-25 and the target of 8 lakh quintals for 2025-26 were appreciated. Along with this, the importance of conserving local millet varieties—especially 163 registered varieties of finger millet—and promoting traditional varieties like 'Kalia', 'Bati', 'Mami' and 'Bharti' was also emphasized.

Additionally, Dr. Jat discussed adopting scientific farming methods on a large scale, promoting minor millets like 'Suan' and 'Kangu', developing affordable processing machinery, strengthening FPOs and women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and expanding millet-based enterprises and market linkages through ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad. He also proposed strengthening research collaboration with ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad and establishing a Centre of Excellence for Millets at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology.

The objective of this event was to strengthen institutional partnerships, promote knowledge exchange and accelerate Odisha's journey toward achieving sustainable, climate-resilient and economically viable millet-based agricultural development.