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The research project aims to provide strategic direction for increasing the presence of millets in the food basket of Odisha, a state rich in natural resources, water, and soil but still facing challenges in agricultural productivity. The pressing issue of low productivity will be tackled through comprehensive research. The project, which seeks to enhance the role of millets in the region's food systems, was highlighted by experts during a National Seminar on Millets, held at the Central University of Odisha (CUO) under an Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) initiative.
The Department of Economics at CUO organized the National Seminar titled ‘Sustainable Livelihood, Food Security, and Rural Transformation through Millets for Viksit Bharat’ on Wednesday at its Sunabeda campus. The seminar was part of the ICSSR Special Call for Collaborative Research Projects on Vision Viksit Bharat, with a Rs 23 lakh grant awarded to a research team led by Dr. Minati Sahoo, Associate Professor in the Department of Economics at CUO.
The inaugural session featured distinguished speakers, including Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of CUO; Padma Dr. J.K. Bajaj, Former Chairman of ICSSR; Dr. Prabhakar Sahoo, Lead Economist at NITI Aayog; Prof. Prasant Kumar Panda, Economic Advisor to the 16th Finance Commission, Government of India; and Prof. Rathi Kanta Kumbhar, Professor in the Department of Economics and Chairman of the National Seminar.
Dr. Minati Sahoo, Head of the Department of Economics and Convener of the event, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing that the seminar aimed to generate ideas for the ICSSR-funded research project. Prof. Rathi Kanta Kumbhar, in his thematic address, outlined the seminar’s focus, drawing on the concepts of Sanskriti, Prakriti, and Bikriti to describe the development of a new food culture.
Padma Dr. J.K. Bajaj, the chief guest, expressed appreciation for the research project's focus and hoped it would guide efforts to increase the role of millets in the food basket. Prof. P.K. Panda, describing Odisha as a "Mountain Economy," offered suggestions on promoting millet cultivation and consumption from various economic perspectives. Dr. Prabhakar Sahoo discussed government initiatives aimed at bolstering India’s economic growth, particularly through millet cultivation, while also addressing challenges in raising awareness and boosting productivity for sustainable development.
Prof. Chakradhar Tripathi, Vice Chancellor of CUO, spoke on the cultural significance of millets, referring to them as "Shri Anna." He noted CUO’s commitment to supporting millet research for the economic growth of Koraput and emphasized the university’s mission to contribute to Odisha's progress and the nation’s prosperity.
As part of the event, Dr. Raimati Ghiuria, the Millet Queen of Odisha from Koraput, was felicitated for her efforts in popularizing millets. A commemorative ‘Book of Ideas’, edited by Dr. Minati Sahoo and Dr. Sourav Gupta, was also launched by the dignitaries.
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