Chhattisgarh Millet Mission | 13 Aug 2021

Why in News

• Recently, the Millet Mission has been started by the Government of Chhattisgarh to encourage the Kodo-Kutki and Ragi crops grown in the Vananchal of the state.

Key Point

• This mission will increase the nutritional level of the people in Vananchal. At the same time, the value addition of these crops will also provide employment and the economic condition of the farmers will also improve.
• On the special initiative of the Chief Minister, the State Government has decided to procure Kodo, Kutki and Ragi on support price and to include these crops under Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana.
• Keeping in view the rich nutrients found in small cereal crops, the district administration and Krishi Vigyan Kendra in North Bastar (Kanker) district are giving information to the farmers of the district for improved farming under Millet Mission.
• Kisan Vikas Samiti has been formed for the production and collection of Kodo-Kutki, in which 300 families are associated.
• Processing units have been set up at Krishi Vigyan Kendra Kanker and village Gotulmunda of Durgukondal block for value addition of minor cereal crops. Processing work is being done by one women group each in these two units.
• Women of self-help groups engaged in collection and processing work have been provided employment of more than 850 days. On the initiative of the district administration, farmers and women groups producing small cereal crops have been linked to this processing center.
• The products prepared in this center are being provided through Anganwadis to malnourished, anaemic and pregnant mothers and malnourished children in the form of Kodo Rice Khichdi and Ragi in the form of Halwa.
• The State Government is gearing up to implement the 'Chhattisgarh Millet Mission' in Chhattisgarh to increase the scientific production of Kodo-Kutki-Ragi. Chhattisgarh Government has declared the support price of Kodo-Kutki as Rs 3 thousand per quintal. And now expanding the scope of Rajiv Gandhi Kisan Nyay Yojana, the State Government has decided to give incentives at the rate of Rs 9000/acre to the farmers for cultivating Kodo-Kutki crop.
• The State Government has also provisioned Rs 10,000 per acre for the farmers who take Kodo-Kutki crop, instead of paddy.