Finance
The world is about to learn about the incredible journey of millet farming and its nutritious prowess from two Odishan custodian woman farmers. Raimati Ghuria of Koraput and Subasa Mohanta of Mayurbhanj will introduce the world to the amazing success story of millet on the prominent platform of the G20 Summit on September 9th in New Delhi.
Raimati, a resident of Nuaguda village in Koraput’s Kundra block, began her adventure in agrobiodiversity and agriculture in 2002, working closely with the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). Her desire to preserve traditional crops, such as indigenous rice varietals and millets, became her life’s work.
She oversees a Gene Bank and Seed Bank in her area, as well as the Farm School, which was built with assistance from the Indian Overseas Bank. She has received multiple national and state accolades for her contributions to women’s empowerment, environmental activities, and farmer capacity-building. She is also well-known as an organic farming instructor.
Raimati was named a Custodian Farmer by the Government of Odisha in 2022 for preserving over 72 traditional rice varieties and 30 millet kinds. Some of cultivars have outperformed high-yielding varieties (HYVs) in farmer fields. Her actions resulted in the Odisha government releasing landraces.
Subasa, from Goili in the Jashipur block of Mayurbhanj, began her millet journey in 2018 when she planted finger millets (Ragi) on a fallow piece of land near her home. Within two months, she harvested her first crop, selling a portion and using the rest for her family and as seeds for the next planting. Her commitment grew, and she expanded her Ragi farming to two acres in 2019, even conducting participatory varietal trials.
Subasa planted four acres of land in 2020, yielding 28 quintals of Ragi and conserving numerous millet kinds. At a National workshop on Nutri-cereals (Millet) in Bhubaneswar, the Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment, Government of Odisha, honored her for her efforts. She is now acclaimed as ‘Mandia Maa,’ and she assists tiny and marginal farmers in her grampanchayat and beyond.
Raimati and Subasa will both share their inspiring stories on the global stage during the G20 Summit in New Delhi. Their commitment to millet cultivation and sustainable farming practices is in line with worldwide nutrition, agriculture, and sustainability goals. Their accomplishments demonstrate how small-scale farmers may effect good change and contribute to food security.
They will have a unique opportunity to highlight the importance of millet cultivation and its potential impact on global agriculture at the G20 Summit. Their contributions to millet production, conservation, and community empowerment serve as a model for farmers all across the world. Their narrative will definitely throw a spotlight on the potential of millets and the critical role of women farmers in sustainable agriculture as they take the global stage.
Source:OCN
