Traditional millet farming is gaining renewed attention across parts of the Northeast, with local farmers and rural communities exploring modern cultivation methods and new product development to unlock fresh livelihood opportunities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi discussed these grassroots efforts during the 139th episode of his monthly radio broadcast, Mann Ki Baat.
Value Addition and Enterprise in Meghalaya
In Meghalaya's West Jaintia Hills district, the Prime Minister specifically pointed out the efforts of two women from Khanduli village who have been developing value-added items derived from millets. Their enterprise has successfully expanded the utilization of the grain far beyond conventional food preparations, introducing popular products like cookies, cakes, muffins, and baby food to the market.
According to the Prime Minister, the arrival of these consumer goods has driven up sales figures and heightened overall demand for millets, prompting local farmers to return to cultivating the crop. He noted that millet farming had previously declined in the locality despite the grain holding a historic and longstanding place in regional food traditions. In addition, he cited the example of Chekjing Sangma, an agriculturist from Sadolpara village in the West Garo Hills, who adopted modern farming techniques to grow millets. This modern approach successfully boosted his personal income while raising awareness about the crop among local residents, as Conrad K Sangma wrote on X.
Revival After a Decade in Nagaland
A similar community-led transformation took place in Kezoma village, located in Nagaland's Kohima district, where residents undertook concerted steps to restore millet cultivation after the practice had been discontinued for more than ten years. Cultivation officially resumed in the village in 2024, which was soon followed by the community hosting its inaugural millet festival in 2025. Market demand for millet-based commodities has continued on an upward trajectory across the area ever since.
Global Momentum for Shree Anna
The Prime Minister connected these inspiring regional developments to India's broader national and international campaigns promoting millets, which are officially recognized as Shree Anna. He recalled that India's successful push to designate 2023 as the International Year of Millets drew an overwhelming global response, helping renew public appreciation for the grain's deep cultural and dietary significance, as a report noted.
Concluding his remarks, Modi emphasized that the ground realities observed in Meghalaya and Nagaland clearly demonstrate how younger generations can seamlessly blend traditional agricultural wisdom with modern entrepreneurship to fortify rural economies while successfully safeguarding local heritage.
