Special programme for the promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas of Odisha. (Shree Anna Abhiyan) (SAA)

Location: Kundra Block of Koraput district, Odisha

Project Period: (April- 2017 to March-2027) 

Funder: Department of Agriculture & Farmers Empowerment, Govt. of Odisha

Project brief:

“Special programme for the promotion of Millets” known as Odisha Shree Anna Abhiyan (SAA) is a flagship initiative of Government of Odisha.

The programme aims comprehensive revival of millets in farms and plates to promote climate-resilient farming and contribute to addressing micronutrient deficiency with Improving livelihoods of vulnerable farmers in Rainfed Areas. The programme is implemented through WSHGs, FPOs with support of NGOs. The Hon'ble Prime Minister of India has declared that Millets shall be further known as “Shree Anna”, highlighting the sacred, nutritious and importance of the grains to the community. One of the facilitating NGOs of MSSRF support Kundra Block of Koraput District to implement program.

Objective of the Project:

  • Increasing household consumption of millets by 25% to the baseline.
  • Revalorization of millet food cultures in urban and rural areas.
  • Conservation and promotion of millet landraces through seed system of landraces
  • Promotion of post-harvest and primary processing enterprises on millets.
  • Improving productivity of millets-based crop systems.
  • Promotion of millet value addition enterprises in rural and urban areas of Odisha
  • Inclusion of millets in PDS, ICDS, MDM, Welfare Hostels, and others.
  • Facilitating the millet markets and exports of millet-based products from Odisha
  • Making Odisha as Millet Hub of India.

Shree Anna Abhiyan is a flagship programme of the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment, Government of Odisha. Launched in 2017 as the Special Programme for the Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas of Odisha, it is the first-of-its-kind agricultural initiative focused on reviving millets both in farms and on plates. The Abhiyan promotes climate-resilient farming, enhances household nutrition, and improves livelihoods of small and marginal farmers in rainfed regions. It is implemented through Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) and Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), with active support from NGOs. In recognition of the grain’s sacred and nutritional value, the Hon’ble Prime Minister has rebranded millets as “Shree Anna.”  In Koraput district, MSSRF is facilitating implementation of the programme in Kundra block, supporting community-led millet revival from seed to consumption (April- 2017 to March-2027).

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:

Shree Anna Abhiyan (SAA) aims to transform each of the programme blocks into Millet Hub addressing each component in the end-to-end millet value chain. Following are the outcomes of the programme during 2024-25 to 2026-27:

  • Increase in consumption of at least 25% to the baseline.
  • Conservation and promotion of landraces.
  • Promote at least 1000 post-harvest and processing units.
  • Promote Millet Service Centres at each district level.
  • To cover 1000 to 2000 Ha per block under improved agronomic practices.
  • Promote FPOs one in each programme blocks.
  • At least 4000 families with in the programme block will be benefited directly or indirectly through programme initiatives.