Raimati Gheuria, affectionately known as Odisha’s "Millet Queen," has been conferred with an honorary doctorate by President Droupadi Murmu during the 40th convocation of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT). This significant accolade celebrates her outstanding contributions to agriculture, particularly her efforts in conserving traditional millet varieties.
A native of Koraput district, Gheuria has spent her life safeguarding indigenous crops. Her meticulous conservation work includes preserving over 300 millet varieties and 77 types of rice. Despite a lack of formal education, her dedication to traditional farming practices transformed her into a trailblazer, elevating Odisha as a global leader in millet preservation.
Her efforts gained international acclaim when she was invited to the G20 Summit to mark the International Year of Millets, a testament to her role in revitalizing these nutritious and climate-resilient grains. Her advocacy has brought attention to the environmental benefits and health advantages of millets, fostering their resurgence in modern diets.
Gheuria’s journey is a story of resilience. Born into a family that faced food insecurity, she overcame significant hardships to promote agricultural sustainability. Inspired and mentored by luminaries like MS Swaminathan, she turned her passion into impactful action, promoting millets locally and globally.
Today, Gheuria is not only a conservationist but also an educator, inspiring future generations of farmers, especially women, to embrace traditional farming methods. Her honorary doctorate recognizes her relentless efforts to preserve Odisha's agricultural heritage and contribute to global food security.
This accolade highlights the crucial role of traditional farming practices in preserving biodiversity and ensuring sustainable agriculture. Gheuria’s transformation from a humble laborer to a globally recognized agricultural
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