Sundargarh Launches Millet-Based Bakery Units to Promote Healthy Eating and Rural Livelihoods

In a major step towards popularising millets and enhancing their availability, Odisha’s Sundargarh district has launched dedicated bakery units focused on producing millet-based products. This initiative aims not only to bring nutritious options to the market but also to boost women’s entrepreneurship and rural incomes.

Under the guidance of the district administration and supported by the Odisha Millets Mission (OMM), bakery units have been set up in various blocks including Hemgir, Rajgangpur, and Kutra. Managed by women’s self-help groups (SHGs), these units are equipped to prepare millet-based snacks such as cakes, cookies, biscuits, and other baked goods. The project integrates training, infrastructure support, and market linkage to ensure long-term sustainability.

So far, over 10 SHG-run bakery units are operational, with more in the pipeline. These facilities source millets like ragi (finger millet), little millet, and foxtail millet locally, ensuring both nutritional value and market support to millet farmers. The baked items are sold through local fairs, exhibitions, SHG outlets, and government-supported kiosks, attracting health-conscious consumers across age groups.

Officials see this effort as a dual benefit—improving dietary habits through millet-based alternatives while strengthening local economies by empowering women entrepreneurs. With increasing awareness of millets as climate-resilient and nutrient-rich grains, Sundargarh's model could soon inspire replication across other districts in Odisha and beyond.

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