Bhubaneswar: In a bid to promote millet consumption, chief minister Mohan Majhi on Sunday urged women in the state to incorporate finger millet (raggi) in religious offerings during the upcoming Manabasa Gurubara Puja, a festival dedicated to Maa Laxmi.
Addressing the international symposium on ‘Shree Anna and Forgotten Foods', organised by the agriculture and farmers' empowerment department, Majhi emphasised the importance of integrating millets into daily diet through cultural and religious practices. Manabasa Gurubara Puja is celebrated on Thursdays of the Hindu month of Margashira. The first puja will be organised on Nov 21.
Majhi's appeal comes amid growing efforts to revive millet cultivation and consumption in the state. Millets, known for their nutritional value and environmental sustainability, were traditionally significant in the region's agricultural and dietary practices.
The initiative aims to leverage religious customs to increase awareness and acceptance of millets among households, potentially boosting local production and consumption. The CM specifically appealed to women to prepare millet-based dishes for their families, linking traditional food habits with religious sentiments.
He announced plans to increase the production and use of millet crops, aiming to make Odisha the millet hub of India. "A provision of Rs 649 crore was made in this year's budget for this purpose."
"Millets, known for their climate resilience, are crucial for nutrition and food security. Starting from the undivided Koraput district, millet farming has now become a revolution across the country and is widespread in Odisha. The cultivation expanded to about 177 blocks," said Majhi.
He said around 14 types of nutritious crops were recognised as ‘Shree Anna' in India, with bajra, jowar and ragi being the most popular. While ragi is the most produced in Odisha, other nutritious crops like suan, kangoo, kodo, and janha are also widely cultivated.
"These crops are gluten-free, high in fibre, antioxidants and have a low glycaemic index, making them beneficial for managing diabetes and blood sugar levels. They also act as preventatives against cancer, anaemia and vitamin B deficiencies, earning them the status of a superfood," he added.
To make ragi more appealing, Majhi invited food bloggers to introduce new recipes and styles to households.