By OUR STAFF REPORTER
DEHRADUN, 4 Jan: The state government purchased 3100 metric tonnes of Mandua (finger millet or ragi) from the farmers this year through 270 centres across the state at a price of Rs 4,200 per quintal.
Mandua is a very healthy coarse grain which was did not draw attention in recent years but is now in high demand owing to its low glycaemic index and high fibre content and resultant health benefits. The rising demand for Mandua in the country, has given the farmers impetus to take up its cultivation in Uttarakhand on a large scale. To promote the cultivation of millets and other coarse grains, the government is aggressively marketing the cultivation of millets and had announced that it will purchase the mandua produce from the farmers.
This year, the state government has bought over 3,100 metric tonnes from farmers through cooperatives and farmer associations, offering a support price of Rs 4,200 per quintal.
Traditionally cultivated in Uttarakhand’s terraced fields, Mandua had been overlooked in recent years, causing farmers disinterest. However, with the promotion of millets crops by both the Central and Uttarakhand governments, Mandua production and its cultivation area, both are on the rise. To support Mandua farmers, the government began purchasing Mandua at minimum support price under the National Food Security Mission in 2022. Mandua has been included in nutrition programmes from public distribution to mid-day meals and Anganwadi centres. The State Millet Mission further boosted Mandua production and awareness, providing up to 80 percent subsidies on seeds and fertilisers.
The government established collection centres with the help of multipurpose primary agricultural cooperative societies (PACS) and farmer producer organisations to purchase Mandua from remote farmers. The number of centres has grown from 23 in 2020-21 to 270 in 2024-25. This year, 3100.17 metric tonnes of Mandua was purchased through these centres at Rs 42.46 per kg. To support these purchases, the government provided incentives of Rs 150 per quintal to farmers’ unions and Rs 50,000 per centre to the multipurpose primary agricultural cooperative societies, ensuring payments within 72 hours.
The support price for Mandua has seen a 68 percent hike from Rs 2500 per quintal in 2021-22 to Rs 4,200 per quintal in 2024-25, benefitting farmers and expanding the Mandua production area. The government also promotes Mandua products through Open Market and House of Himalaya.
Commenting on this development, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami observed that Mandua, traditionally grown in Uttarakhand, is both nutritious and organic. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s promotion of millets products, demand for Mandua has risen. The state government continues to emphasise increased production by purchasing Mandua directly from farmers, yielding positive results.
