2025, Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A

This study examines the transformative role of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in strengthening millet-based sustainable agriculture through Odisha's Millet Mission (OMM), also known as Shree Anna Abhiyan. Drawing from secondary data analysis and existing research, this paper evaluates how the integration of SHGs with millet cultivation has created a sustainable agricultural ecosystem that addresses food security, gender empowerment, and climate resilience in tribal areas of Odisha. The research reveals that since its inception in 2017, the Odisha Millet Mission (OMM) has expanded millet cultivation from 54,000 hectares to over 82,000 hectares by 2022, with a targeted expansion to 150,000 hectares under its second phase. In collaboration with Mission Shakti’s extensive network of approximately 0.6 million Self-Help Groups (SHGs) representing 7.2 million women, the programme has demonstrated measurable improvements in agricultural productivity, household income, and nutritional security, particularly in tribal and rainfed regions of Odisha. The findings indicate that SHG-mediated interventions have increased women's participation in millet cultivation, while creating sustainable value chains through community-managed enterprises. This paper contributes to understanding how community-based approaches can effectively mainstream climate-resilient crops while empowering marginalized communities.