Bhubaneswar: The two-day International Millet Conference has started today at the Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik launched it. On this occasion, the Chief Minister said, Odisha is the first state in the country to organize such an international millet conference. Odisha government is investing 2500 crore rupees to the farmers for planting millet. The theme of this international conference is ‘Millets- Ancient grains for Modern Challenges’. Agriculture Minister Ranendra Pratap was also present in this program.
Millet cultivation has been extended to 177 blocks in 30 districts of Odisha by combining scientific methods and traditional techniques. So the conference will going to organize various programs related to farmers in millet cultivation, processing, technical sessions, international food fair, quiz competition, cooking competition etc. It will also showcase the success stories of women self-help groups and millet entrepreneurs under Mission Shakti. Then the millet policy roadmap will be prepared in the conference for the entire country. The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment aims to increase household consumption of millet with special incentives to Millet farmers.
On the other hand, many influential persons are going to attend in three days program like the agricultural consultants of the International Fund for Agricultural Development of African and European countries, Grammy Award winner Ricky Cage, Famous Chef Vikas Khanna etc.