Tripura Millets Mission and Value Chain Development through Organic Farming (MOVCNER)
Prabir Datta
December 24, 2024
In Tripura Millets are cultivated on 1,300 hectares of land and the state has adopted programmes to increase this by 700 hectares in 2023-24. Under 'National Food Security Mission – clustered demonstration of millet 'Nutri Cereals' is being implemented for last few years with financial support. The Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) is developing a value chain on millets.
NABARD , Department of Agriculture and IIMR has conducted awareness programs to educate farmers about millet cultivation. NABARD , Department of Agriculture has published a manual on millet cultivation in English and local vernaculars. NABARD , Department of Agriculture has organized a meeting of the Regional Advisory Group to develop a roadmap for promoting millet cultivation in Tripura.
Millets are a nutritious and drought-tolerant crop that can help ensure food security, especially in regions with limited rainfall. They are high in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants growing.
In Tripura one dedicated Millet Mission is the need of Hour. Govt of Tripura can introduce Millet Mission in Tripura.
Proposal of Tripura Millets Mission
Tripura Millet Mission (TMM) with aim to Revive Millets on Farms and Plates and simultaneously focus on production, processing, consumption, marketing and inclusion of millets in Government Schemes. The Mission is planned to be taken up in a value chain approach with the following objectives: a. Increase household consumption of millets to enhance rural household nutrition security & to create demand for millets with focus on women and children
b. Promoting millet processing enterprises to capture markets for various value added products of millets
c. Improving productivity of millet based cropping systems and make them profitable d. Inclusion of millets in State nutrition programs and public distribution system& other schemes e. Increasing penetration of millets consumption in urban diets.
The activities in the Tripura Millets Mission (TMM) will be taken up under the following Components and subcomponents: A. Market and nutrition supportive production a. Technology demonstrations b. Mini kits distribution c. Seed production & distribution d. Farm machinery i. Sprinkler systems ii. Seed cum fertilizer drills iii. Inter-culture equipment e. Cropping system demos with pulses B. Post-harvest& value addition side aspects a. Post-harvest demonstrations on drying & quality preservation b. Post-harvest machinery i. Dryers ii. Thresher iii. Pulveriser iv. Value added products making machinery Poll c. Static storage facilities d. Storage bins e. Nutritious millet products development fund C. Market linkages
a. Millet based FPCs b. CSCs under FPCs (for aggregation, cleaning, grading, drying, processing
etc)
c. Buyer Seller Meets d. Value Chain Schools (VCSs)
e. Product exhibitions D. Ensuring better nutrition, healthy & disease free Tripura through millets a. Distribution of millets based products in rural areas i. Mobile outlets ii. Awareness creation iii. Supply of millet based products in rural areas b. Millets in mid day meal scheme (through education Deptt- SSA) i. Awareness creation ii. Supply and distribution in schools c. Millets nutrition in adolescent & lactating women and children (in collaboration with POSHAN Abhiyan, Deptt of Social Waelfare) i. Nutrition camps for women & children (urban and rural areas) ii. Supply to POSHAN Abhiyan (Social Welfare Department)
E. Administration, operations, training & capacity building,
a. Governing Body of the Mission at State level
b. Core Mission Implementation Units & Operational Implementation Units
c. PMU at State level
d. Setting up of District level Millets Cell
e. Exposure visits f. Trainings
g. Millets (& pulses) business conclaves (3)
h. Millets Knowledge Bank (MKB) Strengthening Millets and Organic Farming The government has been instrumental in promoting organic farming through visionary schemes. Concurrently, the Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) and the Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeastern Region (MOVCDNER) are revolutionizing organic farming, providing comprehensive support from production to marketing. These schemes underscore the government’s commitment to transforming northeast into a global leader in organic production. Through organic scheme promotes cluster-based organic Millets farming with organic certification, providing financial support fostering organic farming components and practices. Mission Organic Value Chain Development for Northeastern Region (MOVCDNER) Focused on the Northeastern states, this scheme supports the development of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), inputs, and certification. Organic Millets farming can include under MOVCNER for quality products and value chain Development. The narrative of millets and organic farming in Tripura is a testament to the power of combining traditional agricultural practices with modern ambitious spirit. As the country strides towards a sustainable agricultural future, these sectors offer a blueprint for the global community. Entrepreneurs, supported by robust government schemes and armed with innovative strategies, are set to play a pivotal role in this evergreen revolution.
The journey ahead is not without its challenges, but the potential for growth, sustainability, and economic prosperity makes the venture into millets and organic farming a compelling proposition. As we embrace this transformative phase in agriculture, millets and organic farming emerge not just as solutions to today’s environmental and health challenges but as the keystones of tomorrow’s agribusiness landscape.
(Tripurainfo)