Koraput: In a significant achievement, Koraput district, known for its tribal heritage, was awarded the title of Best Performing District under the Shree Anna Abhiyan, a govt initiative focused on community development and the revival of traditional agricultural practices. The district was recognised for its exceptional progress in expanding millet coverage, increasing millet productivity, and successfully procuring ragi.
Koraput collector Keerthi Vasan V received the award from chief minister Mohan Majhi at a ceremony held in Bhubaneswar on Sunday. Acknowledging the collective effort behind the achievement, Keerthi expressed pride in Koraput’s role as a model for millet-based agricultural development. “The achievement is a team effort comprising officials, farmers and local stakeholders, and reflects the administration’s commitment to promote millets as a sustainable and nutritious food source,” the collector said, further noting the district’s dedication to agricultural productivity, farmer support and food security.
Officials highlighted the district’s rapid growth in millet cultivation, particularly with finger millet or ‘mandia,’ now covering over 71,000 hectares of land. The success of the Odisha Millet Mission played a crucial role, with 12,600 hectares dedicated to millet cultivation across Koraput and the Nandapur block leading with 12,500 hectares.
In an effort to support local tribal farmers, the Koraput administration established 42 millet mandis (procurement centres) across 14 blocks last year, aiming to procure 2.50 lakh quintals of millets. Today, around 30,000 farmers are engaged in millet cultivation in Koraput, contributing to a more sustainable and resilient agricultural landscape.