Millet Didis
Millet Didis Of Odisha To Share Their Stories At G20 Centres
For Subasa Mohanta, popularly known as ‘Mandia Didi’ (millet didi) in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj, it’s a big honour to showcase her insights and experience of millet cultivation with global leaders at the G20 Summit. Another woman from Odisha, Raimati Ghiuria, who is also participating in the event, will share her story on how she led women in her village in Koraput to take up millet cultivation .
Overview
“Earlier, we used to get very little revenue from selling millets and it was mainly meant for self consumption. But now we are getting good prices in the market. We have brought all the traditional items which we use, to display at the event,” she said.
The women, both from tribal communities, said things changed dramatically after the Odisha government started the Millet Mission, which has now been scaled up to 177 blocks in 30 districts. They said there are many varieties of mandia (millet), which make it unique and very healthy.
Mohanta, who has been cultivating millets since 2018, said her nephew introduced her to the crop when he gave her 250gram millet seed. “I used to grow cucumbers, pumpkins and other vegetables. I never got good returns. But since I took up millet cultivation, my financial condition has improved,” she said. Currently, she cultivates millets on nearly four acres.
