Chhattisgarh government launched the “Millet Mission” on September 14, 2021 with the objective of making the state a millet hub of India.

• On the occasion of launch of the mission, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel noted that state will soon become the millet hub of India.
• He also highlighted that, “Like minor forest produce, the state wants to make small grain crops its strength.
• To implement this mission, an MoU was signed between Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad and collectors of 14 Chhattisgarh districts under “Millet Mission”.

Millet Mission initiative was launched with the aim of giving the farmers right price for small cereal crops and to provide them input assistance, procurement arrangements and processing. This mission also seeks to ensure that the farmers get benefit from the expertise of experts.

The districts in the state of Chhattisgarh that have been included under the mission include: Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur, Balrampur, Rajnandgaon, Kawardha, Jashpur, Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi,  Koriya and Surajpur.

Under the MoU, Indian Institute of Millet Research, Hyderabad will provide support and guidance in order to increase the productivity of Kodo, Kutki and Ragi. It will also provide technical know-how and ensure the availability of high-quality seeds. Institute will also help in establishment of seed bank in Chhattisgarh. Apart from this, arrangements will be made to train the farmers of Chhattisgarh through Krishi Vigyan Kendra in a bid to spread the scientific technology developed at national level with respect to the millet production by IIMR Hyderabad at the field level.