National Seminar on Millets held at CUO

Koraput, Feb 12: The Department of Economics, Central University of Odisha organized the National Seminar on ‘Sustainable Livelihood, Food Security and Rural Transformation through Millets for Viksit Bharat’ on 12th February 2025 at its campus in Sunabeda.

The seminar was held under the ICSSR Special Call for Collaborative Research Project on Vision Viksit Bharat under which a project of Rs. 23 Lakhs was granted to a research team led by Dr Minati Sahoo, Associate Professor, Dept. of Economics, CUO.

The Inaugural dais featured Prof Chakradhar Tripathi, \Vice Chancellor, CUO; Padma Shri Dr J K Bajaj, Former Chairman, ICSSR; Dr. Prabhakar Sahoo, Lead Economist, NITI Aayog; Prof. Prasant Kumar Panda, Economic Advisor, 16th Finance Commission, Government of India and Prof. Rathi Kanta Kumbhar, Professor, Dept. of Economics & Chairman, National Seminar.

Dr Minati Sahoo, HOD of Dept. of Economics & Convener delivered the welcome address. She explained that the seminar is for collecting better ideas to conduct the research project being funded by ICSSR. Prof. Rathi Kanta Kumbhar, Professor, Dept. of Economics & Chairman, delivered the thematical address where he explained the theme of the seminar. Prof. Kumbhar referred to Sanskriti, Prakriti and Bikriti to explain the establishment of a new food culture.

Padma Shri Dr J K Bajaj, Chief Guest, described that Odisha is rich in natural resources, water and soil but still it is poor in productivity and urged the CUO to address this issue in research. He appreciated the topic of the research project and hoped that it will show direction to enhance the presence of millets in food basket. Prof. P K Panda described Odisha as a Mountain Economy and suggested measures for millet cultivation and consumption from various economic perspectives. Dr. Pravakar Sahoo presented a comprehensive description of the government initiatives to uplift the economic growth of India especially the planning by NITI Aayog. He explained the challenges of awareness and productivity for sustainable development through millets.

Prof Chakradhar Tripathi, Hon’ble VC, CUO described the aesthetics of millets intrinsic in the term, Shri Anna. He said that the CUO is planning to take up the issue of millets very seriously for economic growth of Koraput. He cited the Mission and Vision of CUO and said that the aim of the University was to achieve Utkarsh Odisha and Samriddha Bharat.

On this occasion, Dr. Raimati Ghiuria, Millet Queen of Odisha from Koraput was felicitated by CUO for her contribution in popularizing millets. A commemorative ‘Book of Ideas’ was inaugurated by dignitaries which was edited By Dr Minati Sahoo and Dr Sourav Gupta.

Dr Sourav Gupta, Associate Professor, Dep’t of J & MC & Convener delivered the formal vote of thanks.

In the plenary session, Padma Shri Dr Khadar Valli, Millet Man of India emphasized the significance of millets as a healthy food in the society. He explained how millet seeds the potential have to control glucose level in blood and environmentally sustainable agriculture.

The seminar featured eminent speakers like Padma Shri Dr. Khadar Valli, Millet Man of India; Dr Anuradha Narala from Indian Institute of Millets Research, Hyderabad; Dr Rajendra Dahatonde from Dr Hedgewar Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Nandurbar, Maharashtra; Prof S K Kolay from Dept. of Anthropology, SMK Bastar University, Jagdalpur; Prof Rabi Narayan Patro, President, Odisha Economic Association and Dr P C Mohapatro from COATS, Koraput. In the valedictory session Prof V C Jha, Advisor-Academic & Administration, CUO and Former Vice-Chancellor, Bhagalpur University was also present. 25 research papers were presented in the seminar.

The ICSSR research team is led by Dr Minati Sahoo and includes Dr Sourav Gupta, Prof P K Panda, Pndicherry University, Dr Chittaranjan Subudhi, University of Delhi and Dr Rajashri Padhi, Central University of Jharkhand. The amount of Rs. 23 Lakhs has been sanctioned for the research project for which study will be conducted in four states of the country.

The seminar was attended by the students of the Dept. of Economics and Dept. of Agriculture, Research Scholars and Faculty of various disciplines.