Story of MP’s Tribal woman, Lahari Bai | Millets is a highly varied group of small-seeded grasses, widely green around the world as cereal crops or grains for fodder and human food. According to APEDA, millets are cultivated in over 93 countries throughout the world and sorghum is the most frequently grown millet. India is the largest millet grower. In addition, Madhya Pradesh is among the highest millet-producing states in the country.
About Lahari Bai
With her “Beej bank,” Lahari Bai, a 27-year-old tribal lady from Dindori, Madhya Pradesh, has recently become a popular brand advocate for millets. In her two-room house, one room has been completely converted to millet storage. And, she has managed to preserve more than 150 varieties of millet seeds.
In her interview with DD news she states that, when she noticed some varieties of millets getting endangered, she started collecting and conserving these varieties. Additionally, she plants them in her field and offers free distribution to local farmers so they may cultivate them. And, Rare types of millet such as Madhia, Salhar, Sabha, Kodo, Kutki, Sanwa, Kuttu, and Cheena have been preserved by her.
Lahari recalls how, when she began gathering and preserving millet seed types in her teenage years. And, she was frequently made fun of by her own Baiga tribal tribe.
“People made fun of me and frequently turned me away, but I had just two goals: one, to remain single and support my parents; and two, to protect millet seeds and encourage their production since millet eating offers unrivaled health advantages”
Lahari Bai, Brand Ambassador of Millets
State Mission on Millets
Madhya Pradesh has also set some state missions on millets with the mains objectives:
- To provide the option to the farmers to sell their crop at a minimum cost of Rs 4000 per quintal for Kodo and Rs 5000 per quintal for Kutki.
- To provide a suitable market to the federations for selling their processed Kodo- Kutki at good prices.
- To make continuous increases in the area and productivity of Kodo-Kutki in the state.
- Establishing the brand value of Kodo-Kutki at the national and international levels.
Support us to keep independent environmental journalism alive in India.
Keep Reading
What is Green Hydrogen? Could it change energy in South Asia?
Blue hydrogen is worst for climate: study
How Increasing space traffic threatens ozone layer?
Hydro Fuel Market: India’s current scenario and the future ahead
Natural Gas is a Misleading term, It is not Natural and clean at all
Follow Ground Report on X, Instagram and Facebook for environmental and underreported stories from the margins. Give us feedback on our email id greport2018@gmail.com.
Don’t forget to Subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Join our community on WhatsApp, and Follow our YouTube Channel for video stories.
