Chief Minister Kamal Nath said that the production of Kodo-Kutki (minior forest produce) should be doubled and along with its procurement, its products should be branded at the international level. The Chief Minister has instructed to include Kodo-Kutki dishes in the menu of the Tourism department’s hotels and set up their sales centre mandatorily. Kamal Nath was reviewing the Millet Mission at the Mantralaya.

Chief Minister Kamal Nath said that kodo-kutki, jowar-bajra and maize are such crops that are grown mostly in tribal areas which the tribals produce according to their need. He said that a policy should also be made for procurement of Kodo-Kutki. The Chief Minister said that the farmers should be encouraged for the production of Kodo-Kutki crop under the Millet Mission. He said that it is a premium crop, which is healthy too. Due to this, it has international demand.

The Chief Minister said that tribal farmers should sow these crops up to 50 percent along with extension of one and a half time in the sowing area of private sector. For this, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development should prepare a well-planned strategy with the cooperation of private sectors.

The Chief Minister said that organic farming of these crops should also be encouraged. With this we will be able to increase the income of farmers by 20 to 25 percent.

In the meeting, Principal Secretary Farmer Welfare and Agriculture Development Ajit Kesari informed that a time-bound action plan has been prepared for the organic and general production of kodo-kutki, jowar, millet crops in the Millet Mission as per the Chief Minister’s initiative. The action plan will be implemented in collaboration with the Livelihood Mission of the Rural Development Department, private sector NGOs, committees and farmer produce companies.

Kesari informed that work is also being done on research of certified seeds of crops under the Millet Mission.

Additional Chief Secretary Manoj Shrivastava, Director Agriculture Sandeep Singh and officers of Agriculture and Rural Development Department were present on the occasion.