-Down to Earth The initiative will be launched in nine districts in a phased manner over a period of five years * This is the first of its kind as no state in India has ever millets into public distribution system, mid-day meal scheme and the Integrated Child Development Services together. * In PDS, ragi will be handed over to beneficiaries based on availability and preference initially in the tribal areas In order...

-The New Indian Express NUAPADA: The State Government has decided to introduce traditional small millets to feed children at anganwadi centres in the district shortly. This will replace the ‘Sattu’, a mixture of Bengal gram flour, wheat and other cereals, being served to the children and which has run into controversy after insect and foreign bodies were found in the old stock of the food.A preparatory meeting, chaired  by Zilla Parishad...

-The Financial Express The Odisha experience shows that PDS can play a pivotal role in bringing convergence and making India’s two important missions—food and nutrition security—successful in a short time. New Delhi: India’s public distribution system (PDS) is the largest food security programme in the world, which covers nearly 60% of the population and costs Rs 1.45 trillion—close to 1.4% of the national income. PDS has often been criticised for its structure,...

-The Statesman Koraput district is ahead of several others in meeting the UN Sustainable Development Goal, said May East, Scotland UN fellow, while addressing the Grow Your Own Food congress organised by Thread Siddharth village and Odisha Narisamaj at Kakirigumma here. This congress and Asian Ecovillage summit has been organised under the global discussions on how to implement these goals regionally and the discussion is also based on practical work conducted by...

-Hindustan Times Small and marginal farmers comprise 85% of the land holdings in India. Social protection is a survival tool for the rural poor, who have no easy access to wage labour. India recognised the need for social protection early on and introduced a slew of social protection programmes like the National Rural Livelihoods Mission. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) provides 100 days of assured labour wages...