Millet campaign was organized at Kalinga Hospital campus of Bhubaneswar on 19th October 2023. The Millet Shakti kiosk inaugurated at Kalinga Hospital Bhubaneswar saw a huge number of footfalls from doctors, nutritionists, staff and the general public. The feedback received from the millet Shakti kiosk was extremely positive and encouraging.

The ‘Postcard Exchange’ event was a first of its kind event in Odisha. The event was organized at KISS and KIIT among the students on 16th October, 2023. All the students left deep, impactful imprints on the postcards through their messages. All of these 2000 postcards will be presented on a huge gratitude wall at Hangar A at the International Convention on Millets. Farmers from Odisha and outside including African countries visiting these events will have the opportunity to read these messages and to take one of these postcards home. The art mural painted by the students will also be on display at the convention.

Shree Anna Abhiyan organized a semifinal Millet cooking competition on 13th October 2023. There were 20 participants in the competition. Various traditional millet cuisines were curated by the participants. The winners will be participating at the State level cooking competition during ICM.

KIIT University has organized a one day (13/10/23) Millet awareness program for students. Swayamshradha SHG curated millet based cuisines both dry and hot cooked food. Leaflets were distributed among the students for awareness.

On the occasion of World Heart Day on 29th September, 2023, Kalinga Hospital organized a cyclothon along with millet sale & awareness kiosk in collaboration with Shree Anna Abhiyan to create awareness among the patients.

A Millet Food Festival was conducted on 24th September, 2023 in collaboration with Restaurants Association of Odisha where 8 stalls were put up by different restaurants and 2 stalls by WSHGs of Mission Shakti Deptt. Various millet based delicacies were served to the enthusiastic customers at the food festival.

In collaboration with the Hotels and Restaurant Association, a second phase of training on Millet recipe was organized at IHM from 11th to 12th September, 2023. The training was attended by 24 chefs and experienced innovative Indian recipes on Millets.

Shree Anna Abhiyan in collaboration with Kalinga Institute of Medical Science celebrated National Nutrition Week celebration from 4th to 5th September, 2023 at KIMS hospital. During the occasion, WSHG showcased and sold various Millet products and promoted health benefits of Millets.

Millet food stall was put up on the occasion of Golden Jubilee, Institute of Hotel Management Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition organized a 3 days(1st-3rd September) program to commemorate 50 years of competition.

Students were presented about OMM and given exposure to millet transplantation and millet products

This is collaboration between OMM, Mission Shakti and Odisha Kitchen Garden Association

Every 4th Saturday of month, millet kiosk is set up at Mother's Public School.

This is part of collaboration between OMM and HRAO. Special millet delicacies will be served to customers during this millet food festival.

Participation of OMM in DAV School's millet seminar for the students of biology department

Special address by Director at a panel discussion.

Kiosk was set up within premises of Capital Hospital for 3 days for promotion of millets among doctors, patients and public.

Students were presented about OMM and given exposure to millet transplantation and millet products.

This is part of collaboration between OMM, HRAO and ORTSS. Cookies, Teacake and Muffins were experimented.

Special Guest invited was Odia actress Anu Choudhary. Various customers came to relish millet products.

The training is part of OMM and HRAO collaboration. Training was focused on millet breakfast and bakery recipes.

Stakeholders participated are Deptt. of Health and family welfare, Deptt. of School and Mass education, Deptt. Of Mission Shakti, other pvt school and pvt hospitals. Proposals and action plan were discussed.

3 days millet campaign was organized at AIIMS campus of Bhubaneswar. Millet Kiosk was inaugurated by Executive Director. He emphasized the immense health benefits of different millets. The collaboration was significant as it helped to popularize millets among the general public, especially those who suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, pregnant women, lactating mothers, and children. The Millet Shakti kiosk inaugurated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar saw a huge number of footfall from doctors, nutritionists, staff and the general public. The feedback received from the millet Shakti kiosk was extremely positive and encouraging. During 3 days WSHG made around Rs. 90,000 of business.

In collaboration with Mother’s Public School, Millet café Kiosk was set up at school on the occasion of parents-teacher meeting. Millet recipe book was distributed among the parents and students also got to know about the interesting millet cuisines. The school has planned and proposed to put Millet kiosk once in a month (4th Saturday).

Millet student activities are organised at district level to familiarize the school students with millets and their different health and nutritional benefits. Different events like quiz competetions, sports events and tasting events are organised for this purpose.

Ragi Idli was tasted and appreciated by the core committee of the Kalinga Institute of Social Science. It was decided to add Millets to the students’ hostel menu. A joint action plan was developed for the inclusion of millet in students’ diets. Ragi Idli trial preparation at KISS mother kitchen and served to 1200 tribal students on pilot basis. 100% of the girl students liked the Ragi Idlis and 90% of the boys students also liked it.

Recently Odisha millet mission organized a consultative meeting with hotel and restaurant association to develop promotional strategy for promotion of millets in urban areas. Some of the hotels have already started serving millet cuisines. It has marked a good demand and feedback from customers. It was decided to carry out certain activities like recipe training, supply of grains, participation in International millet convention, branding, PR coverage and standardization of millet recipe.

Millet food-tasting events are organized to give participants a taste of millet-based food items, These events are targeted at different audiences and are conducted at different locations to improve the reach and coverage. The average footfall during these events ranges from 60 to 80.

one day millet mother events were conducted in different blocks of Odisha. The Millet Mother event aims to celebrate mothers who have integrated millets successfully into their lives.

4 four-day Millet food stall was set up at the Utkalika showroom campus on the occasion of the celebration of the Raja festival. The stall was inaugurated by the president of Utkalika Handloom Cooperation. They curated traditional Odia cuisines which were symbolic of the festival being celebrated. A large footfall making a business worth Rs. 7380 was generated.

One day workshop on multi stakeholder international workshop on “shaping the sustainable future of millet mission” conducted at Krushi Bhawan to review current challenge across the millet mission supply chain for its sustainability, to review best practices, to propose indicators and framework as well as innovative solutions for sustainable millet value chain. Various millet stakeholders like progressive farmers, FPO members, NGO members, startups, collaborated institutes and associations as well as agriculture officers participated in the workshop.

The mall activation events are organized to engage directly with consumers. The activities are designed to inform the mall-going audience about millet and millet-based products and promote consumption through tasting and sell points.

In view of the International Year of Millets, 2023, a special session was organized on “Innovation in Millets Research and Extension” by Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology on 25th May, 23. The session was attended by farmers, SHGs, members of Mission Shakti, millet entrepreneurs and millet industrialists. There was also a millet stall put up to display various millet seeds and millet based food products.

Michael’s Kitchen restaurant organized a 15 days (5th-20th May) International Millet food festival in collaboration with Odisha Millets Mission. They introduced a millet based exclusive menu at this event. As part of the festival a hands-on training was organized for SHG members. Apart from that major attraction was an open cooking competition, presence of various stars, influencers and bloggers. The biggest hit of the event were Ragi noodles, Ragi gupchup and little millet kheer.

A 3-day (1st-3rd May, 23) millet food festival was organized by the Agribusiness Management department of Utkal University in view of the celebration of the International Year of Millets (2023). A total of 10 no. millet-based stalls were put up. Millet Shakti kiosk was also a part of them. It was anchored by Shwayamshradha SHG making a business worth Rs. 2000/-. An interaction took place between students, teachers and SHG, for further information IEC material was also provided.

Millet awareness campaign held at Mother’s Public School on 29th April, 2023. Around 200 students and teachers attended the awareness session along with millet food tasting sessions. The session was very learning and interactive. Parents visited the millet sale point and interacted with SHG members for millet recipes.

The millet food tasting event was successfully conducted at Pristine Green housing society on the occasion Utkal divas (1/04/23). WSHG members of Trishakti federation curated millet sandwich, ragi pasta, sorghum halwa, chalha along with popular dry snacks items. The food was appreciated by residents and proposed for a monthly sale point at the society premises..

In convergence with Bhubaneswar Development Authority, Millet Shakti café stalls are set up at various parks of Bhubaneswar. Awareness among urban citizens on various millet cuisines served by Mission Shakti women Self-Help Groups. Active SHG members from Shwayamshradha SHG federation, Trishakti SHG federation and Shaktimayee SHG federation engaged during the campaign program.Covering six parks across Bhubaneswar namely Madhusudan Park, Indira Gandhi Park, Forest park, Budha Park, Gandhi Park and Kelucharan Park are scheduled in two phases from 21st- 23rd March, 23 and 27th-29th March, 2023. (each park for three days).

The event went successfully at Xavier Institute for Management, Bhubaneswar. The event was from 1 pm to 4 pm on 18th March. The faculty, students and staff liked the millet based cooked food as well dry food. The items served were Millet Khichdi, Millet Kheer, Millet Salad and Millet Curd Rice.Total sales from saleable dry food products was Rs 4120/-. The feedback was really good. Students and faculty expressed interest in having a Millet Shakti outlet/cafe within the university premises and inclusion of few millet items in the hostel menu.

The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Global Millets (Shree Anna) Conference at Subramaniam Hall, NASC Complex, IARI Campus, PUSA, New Delhi (18th-19th March, 23). The two-day global conference has sessions on all important issues related to millets (Shree Anna) like promotion and awareness of millets among producers, consumers and other stakeholders; millets’ value chain development; health and nutritional aspects of millets; market linkages; research and development etc. As Odisha is the pioneer state in millet promotion, Ms. Subash Mohanta, one of the progressive farmers of Mayurbhanj district and Block Programme Coordinator of Jashipur Block showcased millets and interacted with the Prime Minister during the event. Principal Secretary of A & FE attended panel discussion on Global Millets Conference as a Panelist on the topic, “Mainstreaming millet use for food and nutritional security and convergent issues beyond IYM” with eminent experts.

Indian Millets Conference, Fair cum Exhibition organised on 17th March, 23 by the District Administration with Agriculture Dept at Siletpani, Komna Block with support of Indian Chamber of Commerce, Kolkata. The occasion was graced by Hon'ble Minister,P & C,Pr Secy DA& FE,GoO, Addl. Secy, & Director, MoFPI, GoI, Scientist, IIMR, Dean of OUAT, Kalahandi, CDAO, Nuapada and members of Nashik Millets Association, Avani Millets, Chattisgarh. Millets Incubation Center Inaugurated Jointly By Pr.Secy,DA& FE, GoO & Addl Secy, MoFPI, GoI today at Nuapada. All the line department and WSHGs members were present during the event.

Millet Shakti Cafe and Information Center launched at the Barabati Palace in Cuttack on 17th March 2023, by Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment as a collaborative effort between Odisha Millets Mission and Mission Shakti. Farmers from OMM districts participated and shared their experience and took key learnings. OMM experts provided necessary clarification. MLA Barabati, Ex MLA Barabati, Hon'ble MLA, Badamba, Hon'ble Mayor, CMC, Hon'ble President Zilla Parishad, Collector CTC & other officials also grace with their presence in the event.

Odisha Millets Mission (OMM) in association with FICCI as the Industry Partner has participated in the International Food & Hospitality Fair - AAHAR 2023 at Pragati Maidan, Delhi. As many as more than 1500 visitors have interacted with OMM team at the Odisha Pavilion. They not only understood the health benefits of millets also tasted a few food samples made by SHG women from Odisha.

The People’s Convention on Millets for Millions is the first step in making IYOM as an inclusive agenda for people and ecosystems. It was intended to collaboratively chart pathways for civil society, research institutions, enterprises and for the government to bring back millets into localized food systems. By sharing successful experiences, cross learning and networking, RRA Network aimed to create an enabling environment for reclaiming millets as the people’s food to benefit millions of people. The People’s Convention was organized from 24th- 25th February and celebrated the rich cultural diversity associated with millets by recognizing their centrality in local food systems. Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, DA&FE attended as Guest of Honor and shared Odisha Millets Mission as a successful model. Farmers, WSHG members, NGO partners and government officials attended the convention from Odisha.

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Empowerment (DA&FE), Government of Odisha has organized a 3-day (16th-18th Feb’23) Krushi Odisha fair at Biju Patnaik Playground, Baramunda in Bhubaneswar. The event was inaugurated by Hon’ble Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. On the first day of Krushi Odisha, a session titled “Humble Millets: Hope for Future '' was organized by the DA&FE. The session was graced by Chief Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Country Director of World Food Programme India, Country Director of IFAD India, Officer in charge of FAO India, Secretary Agriculture of Bihar, Director ICAR IIMR, representatives from NITI Aayog, MSSRF and state government officials from Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand. Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary, DA&FE welcomed the dignitaries and participants. He detailed out the plan of action for celebration of millets in the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023..

The five-day (27th-31st January, 2023) Paschim Krushak Mela was inaugurated by Shri. Rajendra Pratap Swain, Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture and Farmers' Empowerment, Fisheries & ARD, Govt of Odisha with presence of MLA Kuchinda, Chairman, WODC, Director of DA &FP, Bhubaneswar, ZP President & Collector, Sambalpur. Two millet food stalls and seven exhibition stalls set up in the mela for creation of awareness on IYM and Odisha Millets Mission and to promote different millet products. Food testing of different recipes carried out by the visitor to increase the household millet consumption.

It is an honor for the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment to showcase Odisha Millet Mission tableau at the State Republic Day celebration at its capital, Bhubaneswar. The tableau reflecting the millet scenario in Odisha, millet mascot“Milli”, and International Year of Millets, 2023. It is fortunate that Millet tableau received first prize at the State Republic Day celebration.

In convergence and collaboration with Bhubaneswar Development Authority, Millet food stall was placed during the event of International food festival. It was a joint initiative of Michael's Kitchen and Millet Shakti to serve both cooked and dry millet cuisines. With a good footfall the stall ran successfully. The event runs from 15th-29th January at IDCO ground, Bhubaneswar. Millet cuisines like ragi momo, ragi gupchup, ragi samosa, porso millet chicken biryani, foxtail millet khichdi, little millet kheer and ragi brownie were served to customers. On the opening day it attracted around 300 people. With a good number of customers, Millet stall at the International Food festival is also attracting attention from food bloggers and news media.

In view of the Men’s Hockey World Cup at Rourkela, the district administration organized a city fest from 14th-22nd January. Janavikash FPO was allotted a stall of Millet on Wheel where they sold hot cooked items like Ragi Bara/Samosa and little millet kheer. Food items were appreciated by everyone and there was a huge crowd in the stall. Indu SHG was also allotted stall to sell dry snacks like Ragi Muduku/ Ragi Khurma/Rose Cake/Nimiki/ laddu/mixture seu/boondi/Pop milo/cake/Gaja and different variety of millet grains and millet powder. Sorghum popcorn was a new food item for everyone and sold with a good amount.

In view of the Men's Hockey World Cup, Mission Shakti SHG under Odisha Millets Mission has put up a stall in Fan Village Club/ Ollyland at Kalinga Stadium under the brand of Millet Shakti from 12th-29th January, 2023. On inauguration of the stall, it pulled a crowd of more than 800 people on the first day itself, and generated a business of around Rs.8000.

As Odisha is forerunner in the promotion of millets, it became the first state to celebrate the importance of Millets as the Government of Odisha has declared the first Thursday (November 10th 2022) of Margaisra Masa as per the Odia Calendar as Mandia Divas.(Millet Divas) popularized the benefits of Millets within the states and reached out to different regions as well with the enthusiasm and participation of the people. The Inaugural Ceremony of Celebration of “Mandia Divas” was organized in Lokseva Bhawan, Bhubaneswar Convention Hall on 10th November 2022. The occasion was marked with a video message from Hon’ble Chief Minister and inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries & Animal Resources Department with august presence of Hon’ble Minister, Mission Shakti, Hon’ble Minister, ST & SC and BC & Minority Development, Chief Advisor to Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt. of Odisha, Development Commissioner-cum-Agriculture Production Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary of Department of A&FE , Principal Secretary of Department of A&FE, Principal Secretary of Cooperation Deptt., Commissioner-cum-Secretary, ST&SC Development Deptt., Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Mission Shakti Deptt. and other dignitaries. In the Celebration, Progressive farmers, FPOs, Members from WSHGs, Officials from A&FE Deptt., NGOs and extension workers were present and awarded for their relentless contribution in making the Mission a success by far. The occasion was celebrated at both State and District level, and special menu of Millets were served. The compendium and Brochure were released in this event.

To celebrate the upcoming International Year of Millets and Hockey World Cup, an event was organised in the chair of Hockey legend Dr.Dilip Tirkey. As part of pre-league matches, Indian hockey team was presented with Millet hampers and was introduced to the various eatery items made of Millets. On the day of November 3, 2022 at Kalinga Stadium, Principal Secretary of A & FE Shri Arvind Padhee, President of hockey India Shri. Dilip Tirkey, Sports Secretary Shri. Vineel Krishna and Director of Agriculture Shri. Prem Chandra Chaudhury were present along with team India. The team appreciated the taste of Millet food and the enthusiasm Odisha Millets Mission has shown with presence of mascot Milli promoting Hockey and Millets.

Odisha Millets Mission hosted a millet meet up with the Restaurant Association of Odisha (RAO) for a tasting session of millet-based dishes on October 31, 2022. The larger engagement and promotion of millets in other café and restaurants was discussed. Mission Shakti Women Self Help Group served curd rice, khichdi, sandwich, brownie, soup and ladoo. Around 20 participants from RAO were presented at the meeting.

One day workshop was organized on October 27, 2022 with the Chef and staff at Belgadia Palace for inclusion of millet in their menu and some products in their stay suites. Millet is the best and assured source of local food available at tribal districts of Odisha with nutritional security. The inclusion of millet-based recipes in the food menu of Belgadia palace is absolutely a win-win situation. Serving millet-based food could make a difference on nutritional status. Being an abode to the foreign guests, it provides a platform for bringing millets to the plate and palate of the global audience

Millet menu was launched at BOCCA Café, Master Canteen in collaboration with Odisha Millets Mission on September 24, 2022. Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Principal Secretary of the Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Department graced the event as the chief guest. He interacted with the RAO members presented and encouraged with them to add Millets based dishes in their menu. BOCCA worked with OMM and came out with an exclusive millets-based menu which was launched in the event. The menu was curated by the chefs at BOCCA and experts of Odisha Millets Mission. The idea was to create continental/ Mexican/ bakery dishes which will give millets a more market identity, helping the current generation to consume it.

A day at Kalinga fitness gym, where fitness folks tasted Ragi Challah (Chhanch) and Kangu chakuli served by WSHG members. They got inspired that how fitness can be maintained through the consumption of millets as supplement to various carbohydrates and cater to their gluten free and vegan options of lifestyle.

Skill development training for OTDC cooks was arranged. As a part of promotional activity for International Year of Millet 2023, millet-based menu in Panthaniwas was proposed. In this regard millet-based recipe training of OTDC cooks was conducted on 29th August at IHM. Total 18 cooks participated during the training session not only for recipe preparations but also learning the various thumb rules while dealing with Millets.

One day workshop was held at Kalinga Stadium on food tasting for inclusion of millets-based meals in Sports Hostel on August 20, 2022. Millet based hot cook food including sandwich, curd rice, kheer, chakuli, idli etc. were served to all the attendees. The served food was highly recommended and received great appreciation from sports trainers, official staff, various sports HPC operations or managing heads, Head of department for Centre of excellence, Hostel Manager and Technical director. They held a discussion on the nutritive values and scope of inclusion in menus. It was a grand success and received great accolades from all.

Odisha Millets Mission is to promote millets through urban campaigns and promotional events to create awareness on nutritional aspects and health benefits of millets among urban people. Promotional events and awareness campaigns were planned out in parks at different location of Bhubaneswar. The campaign was conducted from September 14 to October 1, 2022 in different phases. People received awareness regarding the nutritional benefit of Millets and also explored various breakfast options that are healthy as well as tasty.

Millets grain display and tasting of food was conducted on August 12, 2022 for creation of awareness of nutritional value of millets among students at Srikrishna International School. Hot cook millet food (Ragi Pasta, Foxtail millet Kheer, Little millet khichdi, ragi bread sandwich, Foxtail millet idli) and cold cooked millet food( Biscuit, mixture, karanji, flour, sattu, khichdi mix, dosa mix, ladoo, millet grain, millet rawa) were served among the children and staff. All from that, students liked Little millet Kheer, Ragi bread sandwich and Ragi Pasta the most.

Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the Millet Shakti Outlet at Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar in presence of Principal Secretary, Department of Agriculture & farmers' empowerment on 12th January, 2023. Odisha has emerged as a role model in the country in augmenting millet production & promoting millet consumption. Remarking that hockey and Millets are rooted to our culture, SHGs from Mission Shakti engaged at the outlet. The outlet showcased healthy & delicious food for national and international guests.