Impact of Odisha Millet Mission on Livelihoods of Tribal Women in Odisha

The Government of Odisha has launched the Odisha Millet Mission (OMM) for the revival of millet cultivation, enhancement of food and nutritional security and livelihood of small and marginal farmers particularly tribal community. Millets have been traditionally a fundamental component of agriculture and food system, considering their nutritional content, climate adaptability and suitability to rain-fed conditions. But over the years the cultivation and production of millets declined sharply, due to changes in agricultural practices and promotion of other types of grains. In this regard, the Odisha Millet Mission has come up as a major intervention to revive traditional millet-based farming systems. The present study basically elaborates the impact of Odisha Millet Mission on tribal livelihood in some selected tribal district of Odisha. Millets natural sources of micronutrients and can control the epidemic of nutrient deficiencies, specifically of iron and calcium and various micronutrient elements. The study investigated the modifications to agricultural production, household incomes, food security and tribal women’s participation in livelihood activities. The study is based on the secondary data such as; Government reports, Directorate Of Agriculture & Food Production Govt. Of Odisha, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and published literature. The findings indicate that the Mission has led to increase in millet cultivation, better market assess, improved household income and enhanced food and nutritional security of tribal household. The Odisha Millet Mission has become a key contributor to preserving traditional agricultural knowledge which encouraging climate and smart agricultural practices and enhancing sustainable tribal livelihoods. It’s a boon for Tribal Women’s livelihood, food security, Women Empowerment and Sustainable Agriculture in Tribal Development of Odisha.