Odisha Aims to Become the Shree Anna Hub: Agriculture Secretary's Vision for Millet Cultivation

Boosting Millet Cultivation in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Secretary of the Agriculture Department, Arabinda Kumar Padhee, has urged officials to enhance the cultivation of Mandia (millet) as a key national crop, aiming to position Odisha as a leading center for Shree Anna.

During a review meeting focused on the annual action plan for the Shree Anna Abhiyan for the Kharif season of the financial year 2025-26, Padhee emphasized the need for increased attention on the production, post-harvest management, and marketing of Shree Anna crops. This meeting took place at the Krushi Bhavan conference hall.

The Shree Anna Abhiyan is a transformative initiative by the Agriculture Department that has significantly contributed to the revival of traditional food crops in the state, including Mandia (finger millet), Suan, Bajra (pearl millet), and Kangu.

Thanks to the success of this initiative, traditional foods have made their way into five-star restaurants and are now enjoyed by many celebrities. Padhee noted, “This program not only generates employment but also empowers tribal and indigenous communities, helping them integrate into mainstream society while preserving our traditional food culture.”

The meeting was attended by various officials, including Agriculture Department Director Shubham Saxena, Managing Director of Odisha State Supply Corporation K Sudarshan Chakravarti, and scientists from the Indian Institute of Nutrition Research.