New Delhi: As the G20 Summit in New Delhi unfolds, delegates from around the world are indulging in India’s diverse culinary offerings, including an array of millet-based dishes.
This gastronomic experience is not merely a delight for the palate but also aligns with a significant global development: the United Nations General Assembly’s endorsement of India’s proposal designating 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Consequently, world leaders and representatives of member states are savoring the nutritional and sustainable aspects of millet through specially crafted dishes at their accommodations.
Millet, often referred to as “smart food,” boasts a plethora of health benefits and is recognized for its positive environmental impact. To elucidate the significance of this crop and its culinary applications, two remarkable tribal women from Odisha, Raimati Ghiuria and Subasa Mohanta, have been invited to share their insights during a dinner program hosted by President Droupadi Murmu.
Both Raimati Ghiuria and Subasa Mohanta have embarked on millet farming journeys when many hesitated to venture into this field. Their stories serve as inspirational testimonies to the transformative power of millet cultivation, especially for tribal women in rural Odisha.
Raimati Ghiuria – A Seed Conservator and Changemaker
At 36 years of age, Raimati Ghiuria hails from the Bhumia community and is a proud native of Nauguda village in Odisha’s Koraput region. She has earned acclaim as a devoted seed conservator, safeguarding the heritage of her land. Ghiuria’s contributions extend to conserving over 70 traditional varieties of indigenous rice and preserving more than 30 diverse millet strains.
Beyond conservation, she has actively assumed the role of a resource person for her community. Her training sessions have equipped fellow farmers with the knowledge and techniques necessary for effective millet packaging. Furthermore, Ghiuria is the driving force behind a company that directly procures millets from local farmers, ensuring they receive a fair minimum support price for their produce.
Her commitment to sustainable agriculture is exemplified through her tireless efforts in training farmers in essential practices such as line transplanting, millet intensification, organic pest management, and intercropping. Since 2012, she has been instrumental in transforming agricultural practices in her community.
Subasa Mohanta- Empowering Farming Communities through Ragi Cultivation
Subasa Mohanta, aged 45, hails from Singarpur village in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district. Her journey from a struggling paddy farmer to a successful ragi (a type of millet) cultivator is a testament to her determination and adaptability.
In her village, millets had witnessed a decline in cultivation, a staple food for tribal communities. Subasa Mohanta embraced millet farming, becoming an influential advocate for its resurgence. With traditional farming methods and her unwavering commitment, she not only transformed her own farming endeavors but also encouraged fellow farmers to incorporate millet cultivation into their agricultural repertoire.
Her transition to millet farming coincided with the launch of the Odisha Millets Mission by the state government in 2017. Prior to this, she had experienced recurrent crop failures in her paddy farming pursuits. Subasa Mohanta’s inspiring journey led her to engage with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the global conference on millets, where her experiences and insights garnered recognition.
