For Prelims: ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Agro-biodiversity, Target cultivation area (by 2047), Production target (by 2047), Ragi procurement (KMS 2024-25), Ragi procurement target (KMS 2025-26), Documented finger millet landraces in Odisha, Nodal research institute for millets
For Mains: Climate-resilient agriculture, Nutri-cereals, Value chain strengthening, FPOs and SHGs
Source:
PIB
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- Odisha launched a National Roadmap for Millet-led Agricultural Transformation on 10 November 2026.
- The roadmap targets 5 lakh hectares of millet cultivation and 8 lakh MT production by 2047.
- Odisha procured 7.5 lakh quintals of ragi in KMS 2024-25.
- Odisha has 163 documented finger millet landraces.
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad is the nodal millet research institute.
Why in the news?
Odisha has launched a National Roadmap for Millet-led Agricultural Transformation, targeting an expansion of millet cultivation area from 1.79 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares and a production target of 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047. The initiative aims to leverage Odisha's rich agro-biodiversity for climate-resilient agriculture and improved nutrition, positioning the state as a national model.
Summary
- The National Roadmap for Millet-led Agricultural Transformation was launched at a two-day national event in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 10 November 2026.
- Target: Expand millet cultivation area from 1.79 lakh ha to 5 lakh ha and achieve production of 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047.
- Odisha Shree Anna Abhiyan is highlighted as a successful state model for millet-based agricultural transformation.
- The state procured 7.5 lakh quintals of ragi during Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2024-25, with a target of 8 lakh quintals for 2025-26.
Background
Millets, classified as 'nutri-cereals' by the Government of India, are drought-resistant crops that contribute to food security, nutrition and climate-resilient agriculture. India successfully championed the International Year of Millets (2023) at the UN. Odisha, with its rich agro-biodiversity, has emerged as a leader in millet promotion through the Odisha Shree Anna Abhiyan.
Key Analysis and Impact
The roadmap sets ambitious targets: expanding millet area from 1.79 lakh ha to 5 lakh ha (a ~179% increase) and production to 8 lakh MT by 2047. This aligns with India's broader goals of promoting climate-smart agriculture and nutritional security. The focus on minor millets like suan and kangu, alongside major millets like ragi, diversifies the crop basket. The emphasis on FPOs, women's SHGs, and affordable processing machinery aims to strengthen the entire value chain.
Way Forward
Key next steps include scaling scientific cultivation practices, establishing a Centre of Excellence on Millets at Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, and strengthening research collaboration with ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad. Expanding market linkages and millet-based enterprises will be critical for sustaining farmer interest and achieving the 2047 targets.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
- An autonomous body under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, responsible for coordinating agricultural education and research in India.
- Agro-biodiversity
- The variety and variability of plants, animals and microorganisms used for food and agriculture. It includes crop landraces, livestock breeds and wild relatives.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: Millet cultivation area target of 5 lakh hectares and production target of 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047.
- Data: Ragi procurement of 7.5 lakh quintals in KMS 2024-25 and target of 8 lakh quintals for KMS 2025-26.
- Nodal Body: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare; ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad.
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may swap the target year (2047) with a different year like 2030, or confuse the production target (8 lakh MT) with the area target (5 lakh ha). The roadmap is for Odisha, not a national programme, though it is called a 'National Roadmap'.
Write these in mains answers
- Climate-resilient agriculture, Nutri-cereals, Value chain strengthening, FPOs and SHGs
Stuck? Get it in one tap
Millets are small grains like ragi and jowar that grow well in dry conditions and are very nutritious. Odisha has created a plan to grow more millets, increasing the area from 1.79 lakh to 5 lakh hectares by 2047, and aiming to produce 8 lakh metric tonnes. The state is already doing well: it bought 7.5 lakh quintals of ragi from farmers in the last season.
- Odisha launched a National Roadmap for Millet-led Agricultural Transformation on 10 November 2026.
- The roadmap targets 5 lakh hectares of millet cultivation and 8 lakh MT production by 2047.
- Odisha procured 7.5 lakh quintals of ragi in KMS 2024-25.
- Odisha has 163 documented finger millet landraces.
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad is the nodal millet research institute.
- Agriculture: Crops and cropping patterns
- Environment: Climate-resilient agriculture
Related concepts: ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Agro-biodiversity
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which research institute is the nodal body for millet research in India?
Explanation: ICAR-IIMR, Hyderabad is the nodal institute for millet research in India. IARI focuses on general agricultural research, the Cotton Institute on cotton, and NBPGR on plant genetic resources, making IIMR the correct answer.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the National Roadmap for Millet-led Agricultural Transformation:
- 1.The roadmap targets expanding millet cultivation area to 5 lakh hectares by 2047.
- 2.The production target under the roadmap is 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2030.
- 3.Odisha Shree Anna Abhiyan is highlighted as a successful state model for millet transformation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: the area target is 5 lakh hectares by 2047. Statement 2 is incorrect: the production target is 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047, not 2030. Statement 3 is correct: the Odisha Shree Anna Abhiyan was cited as a national model. Hence option C is correct.
- Q3Medium
How many finger millet landraces have been documented in Odisha?
Explanation: Odisha has 163 documented finger millet landraces.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of the National Roadmap for Millet-led Agricultural Transformation?
Explanation: The roadmap focuses on addressing challenges of climate change, soil health and nutrition while promoting local food systems. Export revenue is not the primary goal; replacing all rice and wheat is unrealistic, and district-level processing units are not part of this specific roadmap.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the target for millet cultivation area under Odisha's National Roadmap?
The target is to expand millet cultivation area from 1.79 lakh hectares to 5 lakh hectares by 2047.
2. What is the production target for millets under Odisha's roadmap?
The production target is 8 lakh metric tonnes by 2047.
3. How much ragi did Odisha procure in KMS 2024-25?
Odisha procured 7.5 lakh quintals of ragi during the Kharif Marketing Season 2024-25.
4. Which institute is the nodal research body for millets in India?
ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research (IIMR), Hyderabad is the nodal institute for millet research in India.
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- Original10 November 2026 · Read story
