Odisha Becomes First in India to Release Four Finger Millet (Ragi) Landraces

Odisha has reached a significant landmark by officially classifying four Millet Landraces as distinct strains. These farmer-nurtured variants, namely Kundra Bati, Laxmipur Kalia, Malyabanta Mami, and Gupteswar Bharati, have been officially acknowledged and are now established as registered types for seed production in the Koraput and Malkangiri districts. This pioneering endeavor establishes Odisha as the inaugural Indian state to embark on such an initiative.

These specific landraces have been chosen due to their remarkable adaptability to local conditions. They demonstrate robust resistance to pests and changing climates, making them particularly well-suited for organic agricultural practices. In recognition of their potential, the Odisha Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment has taken the step to release these varieties through a methodical seed program.

The introduction of these landraces has been embraced by farmers, women, and farmer groups, who will now collaborate with research organizations to preserve their purity and facilitate seed multiplication. The State's Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment has outlined a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for a Seed System tailored to these landraces, ensuring their controlled reproduction and assessment.

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An essential element of this progress is the Odisha Millet Mission (OMM), inaugurated in 2017 to revitalize millet cultivation both in farms and diets. One of OMM's aims is to conserve and promote indigenous landraces through a comprehensive seed system. This initiative is especially important in a state housing 62 distinct tribes, each possessing a rich heritage of preserving local millet strains.

The meticulous selection process for these landraces encompassed the identification of 163 millet types, with 14 exhibiting commendable performance. Following a rigorous participatory varietal trial, the selection was further refined to the four most promising strains—Bati, Mami, Kalia, and Bharati.

The journey to this accomplishment has entailed close collaboration with esteemed institutions like the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), alongside technical experts and grassroots-level seed conservators. Notably, this initiative has actively incorporated custodian women farmers as integral members of the varietal release committee.

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While these four landraces will initially be introduced in Koraput and Malkangiri, there are plans to extend their adoption to other districts based on performance and community reception. The Odisha Millet Mission and the Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR) are also collaborating on a national roadmap for the wider release of these landraces.  This plan will be presented to the Government of India's Department of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Welfare.

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