Bhubaneswar, Odisha : A one-day workshop on “Mini Millet & Rice Factory Operations and Business Management Strategies” was held today at the Conference Hall of Mission Shakti Bhawan, Bhubaneswar, under the flagship project “Promoting SHG-Led Entrepreneurship through Value Addition.”
The initiative is being implemented through a tripartite agreement between the Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment Department (DAFE), Mission Shakti Department (DMS), and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), with a total project cost of ₹60.17 crore to be executed over three years.
The MoU’s objective is to establish mini factories for the production, processing, packaging, storage, and marketing of millet, low glycemic index (GI) rice, and other agri-based products through Women Self Help Group (WSHG) Federations. As part of the plan, a dedicated food court will be set up to serve a variety of Odia dishes, including millet-based delicacies and forgotten traditional foods.
The workshop brought together officials from DAFE, DMS, and IRRI, who discussed a six-month operational roadmap covering raw material sourcing, processing, branding, packaging, and marketing strategies for low GI rice, GI-tagged Kalajeera rice, and millet products.
Special emphasis was placed on integrating both DAFE and DMS mandates, ensuring active participation of SHGs and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to strengthen rural livelihoods.
The workshop is expected to result in sustainable business models and actionable work plans, which will be recommended to the government for scaling up across the state.
