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overnment of Odisha has launched Millet
Mission to revive millets in plates and farms
in the 7 tribal districts of Odisha. One of
the objectives of the programme is to
explore inclusion of millets in state nutrition
programmes such as ICDS, MDM and PDS. As part of
the initiative, first pilot programme on inclusion of
millets in ICDS was launched in 10 AWCs in
Chandiput GP, Mohana Block in Gajapati district on
20.12.2017. This event was conducted under the
guidance of Women & Child Development
Department and Agriculture Department. The project
will be implemented by Anganwadi workers and
helpers. Funding is being provided through state
plan 2017-18 through Millet Mission initiative.
WASSAN and NCDS is provided the design and
technical supportfor the initiative. Field level
supported is provided by SACAL NGO.
The pilot initiative was inaugurated by the Ms.
Sushree Basanti Mallick MLA Mohana. Ms. Moina
Hebrum, DSWO Gajapati was guest of honor. Other
government officials who attended the event are
Block Chairman, Sarpanch, Assistant Agriculture
Officer, CDPO, District Training and Nutrition
specialist Officer.
More than 250 people including children, mother
committee members, Anganwadi workers, helpers
and others participated in the event. A discussion
was conducted with participants on how they see the
millets. Women farmers mentioned that they are now
considerably weaker compared to their previous
generation. Stamina has also reduced. Men and
women are now having numerable diseases which
they did not have before. They attributed these
things to changes in the dietary processes. They
G
GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA
LAUNCHES PILOT PROGRAMME
TO INCLUDE MILLETS IN ICDS
IN MOHANA BLOCK
GAJAPATI DISTRICT, ODISHA
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expressed happiness that millets are now being
considered to be part of state nutrition programmes.
Ms Sushree Basanti Mallick MLA spoke about the
importance of millets. She said that rice supplied in
ICDS is less nutritious compared to millets. Hence if
millets are supplied, it will play an important role in
increasing nutritional security in the Adivasi areas of
Gajapati district. She also suggested that additional
millet meal should be provided the pregnant
mothers in the NRCs. She requested WASSAN to
arrange for a district level event to take this up
forward. She said that as an Adivasi woman of the
area, she has been a witness to the decrease to
consumption of millets. In order to secure the future
of the Adivasi children, bringing millets into state
nutrition programmes is crucial.
Ms Moina Hembrum DSWO spoke about the
nutritional values of millets and how it can bring
nutrition revolution among the children. She said
Department is also very excited about the initiative
and will provide all the necessary support for the
initiative. Department is looking forward to scale up
the initiative based on learnings. Participants took a
pledge to promote organic millets on daily
consumption and to fight malnutrition. DSWO read
out the pledge.
Ms Kuntala Kumari Nayak CDPO Mohana also
mentioned how consumption of millets can reduce
the malnutrition among the children. She said a
generation should not depend completely.
Consumption of nutritious food crops that have been
endemic to the region for hundreds of years is most
important to reduce the malnutrition.
Mr Srinivas, District training manager cum nutrition
operation plan specialist spoke importance of
maintaining hygiene during the consumption of
millets. Mr Bhabendra Behera, Assistant Agriculture
Officer spoke about the role of millets in combating
climate change. He mentioned that with improved
agronomic practices it is possible now to double the
yield in an organic manner. With good market price
and government support, millets are now becoming
an economically viable crop.
Mr Dinesh Balam , State Coordinator, Millet Mission
Odisha spoke about the process through which
millets may be included in the ICDS in phased
manner. Process of inclusion will be in a participatory
manner. Menu will be designed based on the local
dietary practices and local food customs. State
Government is also looking forward to scale up the
initiatives in a phased manner.
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DSWO and CDPO distributed foxtail millet kheer and
ragi ladoo to the students. This was followed by
cultural programmes by local Adivasi youth.
This was followed by serving of millet recipes (Foxtail
millet (Kangu) kitchdi and little millet (Suan) upma)
to the students and oral feedback was taken from
them.
RECIPE SELECTION WAS CARRIED THROUGH
FOLLOWING PROCESS
Discussions were conducted at Anganwadis with
mother committee members, students,
anganwadi workers and helpers to identify the
local millet consumption pattern and their
choices of recipes.
This was followed by discussion with Anganwadis
to determine which recipes would be easy to
cook and will not increase the burden of the
staff.
The millets which were locally available were also
classified and a menu was developed.
Thus through this participatory process, millet
recipes which reflect traditional consumption
patterns, which are locally available and are not
burdensome to cook were chosen for the pilot
testing. Through this process , two recipes i.e. Foxtail
millet kitchdi and little millet upma were finalized.
Recipes received a very good response from children,
mothers and anganwadi workers. Mother Committee
members also gave verbal recommended the recipe.
They were asked to give recommendation on paper.
These recipes were also consumed by MLA, DSWO,
CDPO, AAO, Sarpanch, DT&NP, Block Chairman and
other officials. They appreciated the menu and asked
WASSAN to pilot it in the other blocks. DSWO has
asked WASSAN to arrange training for all the
Anganwadi staff in phased manner.
Material procurement and other aspects will be
worked out in another 4-5 days. Pilot will be formally
launched from 1st January 2018. It was also decided
to conduct a training at Gajapati for Anganwadi
workers and helpers to cook millets in the NRC
before 2nd week of January 2017.