Mandia cultivation opens new economic avenues in Odisha’s Gajapati and Koraput

Finger millet (Mandia) cultivation is creating new opportunities across Odisha, transforming local diets and livelihoods. In Gajapati district’s Mohana block, farmers are turning Mandia into a variety of food products, including laddus and biscuits, while generating income through sales to local markets, schools, and educational institutions.

Also Read: Koraput breaks 7-yr record in ragi cultivation, inspires other Odisha districts

Women, in particular, are actively participating in both production and marketing, earning additional income.

Similarly, in Koraput, more than 30,000 farmers are engaged in Mandia cultivation, giving the district a fresh identity as a hub for this nutritious crop. Under the ‘Shree Anna Abhiyan’ initiative, new cultivation techniques are being introduced to improve productivity, with farmers receiving specialised training.

District officials report that Mandia production in Koraput now exceeds 2.5 lakh quintals.

Rich in iron, protein, fibre, and minerals, finger millet is recognised for its health benefits. Dieticians emphasise its nutritional value, while government-backed millet missions provide support through processing units, producing diverse food items and creating sustainable employment opportunities, especially for women.

“Initially, my grandparents were cultivating Mandia when I was quite young. After I went to my in-laws’ house following my marriage, I started the cultivation there too. Mandia was previously regarded as ‘poor man’s food’. Now, this crop has reached international markets,” the ‘Millet Queen of Odisha’, Dr Raimati Ghiuria, stated to OTV.

“I personally feel very happy for this,” the tribal woman gleamed when contacted.

“We have harvested a good quantity of ragi this year. Mandi arrangements made by the State government were quite appreciable. If we continuously receive governmental support in the coming years and the climatic conditions remain unchanged, we will be more encouraged to cultivate this crop,” a local farmer, Surendra Masti, had said earlier.