Odisha Government Slashes Budget for Millet Promotion Scheme by 31% in 2026-27
The Odisha Government has reduced the budget for promoting millet cultivation by 31% for the 2026-27 fiscal year, despite achieving a 93% utilisation rate in the previous year. This decision comes amidst the 'Year of Millets' legacy, which aims to promote dietary diversity in tribal regions. The reduced budget will impact the cultivation of critical millets such as little millet, foxtail millet, and barnyard millet.
- •The recent reduction in budget for promoting millet by the Odisha Government has raised concerns among advocates for food rights.
- •The Right to Food Campaign, a network for furthering food rights, has expressed concern over the "drastic" reduction in budget for promoting millet, a climate-resilient crop grown primarily by tribals.
- •A government order has sanctioned ₹415 crore for 2026-27, a reduction of nearly 31% from the previous year's ₹600 crore, despite the scheme achieving a 93% utilisation rate in 2025-26.
The recent reduction in budget for promoting millet by the Odisha Government has raised concerns among advocates for food rights. The Right to Food Campaign, a network for furthering food rights, has expressed concern over the "drastic" reduction in budget for promoting millet, a climate-resilient crop grown primarily by tribals. A government order has sanctioned ₹415 crore for 2026-27, a reduction of nearly 31% from the previous year's ₹600 crore, despite the scheme achieving a 93% utilisation rate in 2025-26.
Impact on Tribal Communities
The reduction in funding will have a significant impact on tribal communities, who are the primary cultivators of millet. The National Food Security Mission aims to increase the production of millet and other crops, but the reduced funding will hinder the progress made so far. The District Mineral Fund (DMF) districts of Keonjhar and Sundargarh, which are dominated by tribal populations, will be particularly affected by the financial blackout imposed by the government. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 recognises the rights of tribal communities to their traditional lands and resources, but the reduced funding will undermine the efforts to promote millet cultivation and support these communities.
Institutional Bottlenecks
The government's decision to reduce funding for promoting millet has been criticised for penalising tribal and smallholder farmers. The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act regulates the marketing of agricultural produce, but the reduced funding will limit the access of smallholder farmers to markets and other support services. The National Commission on Farmers has recommended measures to support smallholder farmers, including the provision of credit, technology, and market access, but the reduced funding will hinder the implementation of these measures.
Did You Know? The International Year of Millets was declared by the United Nations in 2023 to raise awareness about the importance of millets as a climate-resilient crop.
Significance of Millets
Millets are a crucial crop for food security, particularly in regions with low rainfall and poor soil quality. The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims to promote sustainable agricultural practices, including the cultivation of millets. The Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) provides support for irrigation and other agricultural infrastructure, but the reduced funding for promoting millet will limit the impact of these initiatives.
Conclusion
The reduction in budget for promoting millet by the Odisha Government is a setback for the efforts to promote food security and support tribal communities. The government must reconsider its decision and provide adequate funding to support the cultivation of millets and other climate-resilient crops. The Right to Food Act recognises the right to food as a fundamental right, and the government must take measures to ensure that this right is realised, particularly for vulnerable communities.
Concepts Mentioned
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY)
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is a government scheme to improve irrigation. It aims to enhance water use efficiency and increase crop yields. Launched in 2015, it has helped farmers nationwide.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
The National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture is a government initiative promoting sustainable farming practices. It aims to improve agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Launched in 2014, it supports climate-resilient agriculture.
International Year of Millets
The International Year of Millets is a global initiative by the United Nations to promote the cultivation, consumption, and conservation of millets, a group of small-grained cereal crops. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the nutritional and environmental benefits of millets, which are rich in fiber, protein, and minerals. In India, for instance, millets are a staple crop in many rural areas, with over 10 million hectares of land dedicated to millet cultivation.
National Commission on Farmers
The National Commission on Farmers is a statutory body established by the Indian government to recommend policies and measures for the welfare of farmers. It was formed in 2004 to address the concerns of farmers and provide them with better prices for their produce. The commission's recommendations led to the implementation of the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to improve farmers' access to markets.
Agricultural Produce Market Committee Act
The Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) Act is a state-level legislation in India that regulates the marketing of agricultural produce. It aims to ensure fair prices for farmers and provide a platform for them to sell their produce. For instance, Maharashtra's APMC Act, enacted in 1963, has been instrumental in establishing a robust market infrastructure for farmers in the state.
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006
The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, is a landmark legislation aimed at recognizing and protecting the rights of indigenous communities living in forests. This act is significant as it empowers forest dwellers to claim rights over their ancestral lands and resources. For instance, it has helped over 2 million forest dwellers in India to secure their land rights since its implementation.
District Mineral Fund (DMF)
The District Mineral Fund (DMF) is a fund established by the Indian government to utilize a portion of mining revenue for the welfare of local communities affected by mining activities. It aims to mitigate the adverse impacts of mining on the environment and local populations. In Odisha, for instance, the DMF has been used to construct over 1,000 schools and provide healthcare facilities to mining-affected areas.
National Food Security Mission
National Food Security Mission is a government program aimed at increasing crop production and food security. It matters for UPSC as it relates to agriculture and rural development. Launched in 2007, it focuses on rice, wheat, and pulses.
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