There’s good news for the state’s farmers. The state government is purchasing millet from farmers through 211 cooperative societies at a support price of ₹48.86 per kg. This decision will not only increase farmers’ income but also provide people with nutritious and healthy food. State Cooperative Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat stated that the state government is continuously striving to promote the Millet Mission in the state. Under this mission, the government has taken several decisions to bring millet and other millets to people’s plates and double farmers’ income. As part of this initiative, the government is now purchasing millet directly from farmers. For this purpose, the government has declared a support price of ₹48.86 per kg. Dr. Rawat stated that millet will be purchased through 211 societies across the state. Of these, 43 centers have been established in Almora, 22 in Chamoli, 13 in Bageshwar, 13 in Uttarkashi, 17 in Pauri, 24 in Pithoragarh, 30 in Tehri, 10 in Rudraprayag, 17 in Nainital, and 3 in Dehradun. Dr. Rawat informed that last year, 31,640 quintals of Mandua were procured from 10,000 farmers across the state at the rate of Rs 42.90 per kg. This year, the State Cooperative Federation has set a target of 50,000 quintals, which is approximately 19,000 quintals more than last year. Dr. Rawat said, “Our goal is to help Uttarakhand farmers increase their income through nutritious products like the coarse grain Mandua, and to promote this product from the local to the global level. Through the State Cooperative Union, we are going to brand millets and mountain products and bring them to the global market. A roadmap and business plan have been prepared for this.” He explained that the purchase of Mandua was initially priced at Rs. 18 per kg, which has now increased to Rs. 48.86 per kg. This is not only a recognition of the farmers’ hard work but also a powerful means of increasing their income. Dr. Rawat said that the demand for Uttarakhand’s organic millets is growing rapidly in other states and abroad. In the future, Uttarakhand’s mountain products will make their mark in the international market. Anand Shukla, Managing Director of the State Cooperative Union, stated that millet procurement began on October 1st. Cooperative societies and social media are promoting millet procurement in rural areas. Farmers in rural areas have become increasingly aware and are maintaining contact via telephone. This year, Mandua is being purchased at the procurement center at a rate of ₹4,886 per quintal, and an additional ₹100 per quintal is being given to the committee as an incentive. If necessary, more procurement centers will be established so that farmers can sell Mandua at their nearest centers. He explained that this grain, which grows easily in the hilly climate, maintains soil fertility, requires little water, and does not require chemical fertilizers. This means it is completely organic and environmentally sensitive. According to the World Health Organization, Mandua is rich in calcium, iron, protein, and fiber. It is not only beneficial for diabetics and heart patients, but its gluten-free nature has also led to a growing demand in urban markets. Over the past two years, the efforts of cooperative societies and the State Cooperative Federation have led to unprecedented growth in Mandua cultivation. While this is doubling farmers’ incomes, it has also become an important step towards stopping migration from the mountains
