Berhampur: Across India’s rural landscapes, millet has long been a symbol of sustenance, heritage, and resilience. For many tribal and farming communities, it is not merely a crop; it is a way of life. Recognizing the potential of this deep-rooted tradition, TP Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL) launched an initiative that today stands as a model for women-led rural transformation across the country.
In the Boipariguda block of Koraput, women from 13 villages; Dadiapadar, Ghumarbeda, Banaguda, Uduluguda, Kangarpar, Ranganiguda, Minarbali, Sapguda, Kenduguda, Gatanguda, Guma, Bhejaguda, and Majhiguda came together to revive millet cultivation with new strength and opportunity.
Among them is Nilabati Paraja from Dadiapadar village, who says, “We have grown millet all our lives, but never imagined it could secure our financial future. With organic methods, training, and market support, our traditional crop has changed our lives.”
With the support of TPSODL and its grassroots partner Pragati, around 500 women farmers cultivated nearly 250 acres of millet using organic and improved practices. They received ragi seeds, natural fertilizers, cycle weeders, and training to prepare compost using locally available resources.
The results have been extraordinary. Yields, which earlier averaged 4 quintals per acre, have risen to more than 9 quintals, leading to a total harvest of 3,067 quintals. The shift from subsistence to income generation has empowered the women to think and act like Agri-entrepreneurs. Out of these farmers, 131 women sold their produce at government mandis through the Minimum Support Price system, earning a combined income of over ₹89 lakh. With no intermediaries involved, the financial gains directly reached the farmers, a significant achievement that reflects the aspirations of rural women in states across India.
To ensure sustainable growth and market strength, 252 women have also become shareholders in Jaivik Sri Farmers Producer Company Ltd. This collective has enabled them to access markets, negotiate prices, and make decisions as equal stakeholders. A millet processing unit has further been set up in the region, equipped for cleaning, dehusking, and grinding—allowing the women to produce value-added products like millet flour.
Amit Kumar Garg, CEO of TPSODL. “When women farmers are supported with the right tools and opportunities, the impact is transformative, not just for families, but for rural economies across Southern Odisha.”
