CHHATTISGARH’S ‘MILLET MISSION’

CHHATTISGARH’S ‘MILLET MISSION’

Context:

Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has announced the launch of ‘Millet Mission’. The mission aims to provide a fair price to farmers for minor cereal crops.

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):

• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed for the same between the Chhattisgarh CM, Indian Institute of Millet Research (IIMR), Hyderabad and the Collectors of 14 districts of the state including Dantewada, Jashpur, Kawardha, Bastar, Sukma, Balrampur, Kondagaon, Kanker, Rajnandgaon, Koriya, Bijapur, Kawardha, Narayanpur, Surajpur, and Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi.

About the Mission:

• It is also a step towards the Chief Minister’s vision for the state to become a grain hub in India.
• Other important benefits under the Millet Mission to farmers will include input assistance for millet, procurement arrangements, assisting farmers in crop preparation and ensuring that farmers acquire professional expertise.
• The state will also give training to millet farmers through Krishi Vigyan Kendra so that they can apply the scientific technology developed by IIMR Hyderabad at the national level related to millet production by IIMR Hyderabad at the field level.
• The state government will coordinate the deployment of IIMR experts in selected districts to guide farmers to increase the production of millets. The state will also appoint a senior consultant who will act as a master trainer.
• The government will also set up seed banks for small grain crops in the three districts of Bastar, Surguja, Kawardha and Rajnandgaon.
• Farmers who grow Kodo-Kutki and Ragi crops will be given assistance to replace Rs 9000 per acre and Rs 10,000 per hectare for sowing millets instead of paddy crops.