The Backbone: Women Upholding Millets Industry from Northern Odisha

In the quiet village of Keonjhar, Odisha, a silent revolution is sprouting—one grain at a time. At the Krishna Self-Help Group (SHG), ten women in turquoise uniforms move with confidence, seamlessly blending age-old wisdom with modern technology. Their hands deftly transform finger millet seeds into nutritious flour, but their work represents something far greater - a transformation of livelihoods, gender roles, and India’s agricultural landscape.

"It’s not just about the crop," says Ganga Singh, a leading voice in the SHG. "It's about proving what we, as women, can achieve when given the chance." A few years ago, the group started with a humble contribution of Rs. 25 per member. Today, each woman earns Rs. 20,000 a month—an economic shift that is fundamentally altering the power balance in rural households.

Dibyajyoti SHG: From Puffed Rice to a Millet Empire

The Krishna SHG is not alone in this transformation. In 2009, ten women from Jhirpani village in Sundargarh district came together with a simple goal: to earn a stable income for their families. They pooled Rs. 50 each, gathering Rs. 500 to make puffed rice laddus, which they supplied to local Anganwadi centers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.

Recognising the potential of nutritious, locally sourced snacks, they expanded their product line to include chhatua, a multigrain mix, in 2011. Their pivotal moment came when they learned about the health benefits of millets and the increasing demand for millet-based products.

Encouraged by the Odisha Millet Mission, they transitioned to producing millet-based snacks. Today, the Dibyajyoti SHG has grown into an 80-member collective that offers 43 varieties of millet-based snacks and cookies, catering to health-conscious consumers across Odisha. Their innovative range includes biscuits, idlis, vadas, samosas, pakoras, jalebis, and even millet pickles and ragi tea.

In March 2022, with support from the Odisha Millet Mission, they inaugurated the Millet Shakti Café in Rourkela, serving fresh millet-based delicacies. Their packaged snacks are now available at five railway stations under the One Station One Product scheme, with plans to expand to Bhubaneswar.

From humble beginnings, the Dibyajyoti SHG has transformed into a Rs. 2 crore enterprise, empowering its members and inspiring many others. As President Prema Das reflects, "We have come a long way. Our joint efforts and hard work have changed our lives. Today, we earn, save, and dream bigger than ever before."

Women Entrepreneurs Leading the Charge

Across Odisha, over 1,500 SGHs are leading similar initiatives, as per CEEW. The Economic Survey states that, 1.2 crore self-help groups exist nationwide, and women run a staggering 88% of them. The economic independence they foster is changing the very fabric of rural India.

"When we started, people thought millets were ‘poor man's food.’ Now, officials line up to eat our millet laddoos!" laughs Singh from Krishna SHG.

Their laddus, nutrient-dense and packed with the goodness of finger millet, are now a staple in local anganwadis, helping combat childhood malnutrition. These self-help groups are proving that food security, economic empowerment, and gender equality can go hand in hand.

Women Farmers at the Heart of the Movement

But the millet revolution isn’t just happening in processing units—it starts in the fields. Sanjulata Mahanta, a smallholder farmer from Kaunari Kala village, was one of the first in her community to embrace millet farming.

"Men laughed when I said I would grow millets," she recalls. "They said it wouldn’t make enough money. Now, they come to me for advice."

Millets require less water, fewer chemical inputs, and thrive in erratic weather conditions—making them the perfect crop for a changing climate. Mahanta's transition to millet farming has not only increased her profits but also inspired more farmers to follow suit.

A Climate-Resilient Superfood

For decades, millets were sidelined in favor of rice and wheat, crops heavily promoted through India’s public distribution system. But as climate change threatens staple food security, millets are making a comeback—thanks in large part to the women who have championed them.

"Paddy needs around 875 mm of rainfall; millet survives on just 350 mm," explains Mahanta, highlighting why millet is becoming the preferred choice for rainfed regions.

With growing urban demand and government-backed programs like the Odisha Millets Mission, the once-overlooked grain is now at the center of a food revolution.

Reshaping Rural Gender Norms

Beyond agriculture, this movement is shifting traditional gender roles. Women, long seen as laborers on farms, are now recognised as entrepreneurs, decision-makers, and leaders in their communities.

"Earlier, all major decisions were made by men. Now, when buyers visit our village, they ask for me. That changes things," says Mahanta.

Similarly, Singh notes how the perception of women's capabilities has evolved, "Initially, people questioned if women could operate machinery or manage a business. Now our products are in demand across the district, and we're training other women’s groups."

A Nutritional Revolution

Millets are not just an economic opportunity; they are also tackling malnutrition. Rich in iron, calcium, and fiber, they provide essential nutrients missing in many diets. By integrating millet-based foods into school feeding programmes and anganwadis, SHGs like Krishna and Dibyajyoti are directly contributing to improved child health outcomes.

"Every time a child asks for a second helping of our millet laddus, I feel proud," says a Krishna SHG member. "We’re not just selling food; we’re shaping a healthier generation."

The Road Ahead

The rise of women-led millet enterprises is a testament to what happens when traditional knowledge meets modern opportunity. But challenges remain.

"We need more mechanisation suited for small-scale processing," Singh says. "And market access is still a struggle—big brands dominate the space."

For farmers like Mahanta, preserving indigenous millet varieties is another priority. "We’re building community seed banks to keep our heritage alive," she explains. "We don’t want to lose what makes our crops so resilient."

Despite these hurdles, one thing is clear: the future of India's millets is being shaped by the hands of women. Whether in processing centers, farms, or market negotiations, they are proving that food security, economic independence, and environmental sustainability are deeply interconnected.

The story of millets is no longer just about a grain; it’s about the people who grow, process, and consume it. And at the heart of this transformation stand the women of Odisha—visionary, tenacious, and unstoppable.

As the sun sets over Keonjhar and Rourkela, the hum of millet processing machines continues. So does the work of these women, who, grain by grain, are sowing the seeds of a new future—one where empowerment, sustainability, and nourishment go hand in hand.