Bhubaneswar: The annual work plan for the “Shri Anna Abhiyan” for the financial year 2025-26 was rigorously reviewed in a high-level meeting today, chaired by Principal Secretary Agriculture, Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee. This groundbreaking scheme of the Agriculture Department has been lauded for its remarkable success in revitalizing traditional state foods like Mandia, Suan, Bajra, and Kangu.
Dr. Padhee emphasized the need to further boost the production, improve post-harvest management, and increase sales of Shri Anna in the upcoming Kharif season. He specifically advocated for the expansion of Mandia cultivation, envisioning Odisha as a future “Shri Anna hub.”
The success of Shri Anna Abhiyan has transcended its initial objectives, with the once “food of the poor” now gracing the tables of five-star restaurants and becoming a dietary staple for prominent leaders and actors. This transformation underscores the growing recognition of the nutritional and cultural value of these traditional grains.
Beyond its culinary impact, the scheme is a significant driver of economic empowerment, particularly for the tribal and indigenous communities who are the primary cultivators of these traditional crops. Their increased participation in the value chain, from production to market, is bringing them into the mainstream and strengthening their livelihoods.
“Shri Anna Abhiyan is not just about promoting millets; it’s about reconnecting with our traditional food culture and fostering sustainable agricultural practices,” stated Dr. Padhee, highlighting the scheme’s multifaceted benefits.
The meeting saw the attendance of key agricultural stakeholders, including Director Agriculture Shubham Saxena, Managing Director Odisha State Supplies Corporation K. Sudarshan Chakravarthy, scientists from the Indian Food Research Institute, Dean Research of Odisha Agriculture and Technological University, representatives from the International Rice Research Centre, Food Corporation of India, Nabakrishna Chowdhury Development Research Centre, OSSOPCA, State Seed Corporation, Apicol, and TDCCOL.
Their collaborative efforts are poised to propel Shri Anna Abhiyan to new heights in the coming year, solidifying Odisha’s position as a leader in millet promotion and agricultural innovation.