Bhubaneswar:9/11/26: The Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment of the Government of Odisha is organizing the two-day 5th Mandia Divas at the Mayfair Convention in Bhubaneswar, as reviewed in detail by Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment Secretary Shri Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav.
The grand inauguration of the event will feature the Governor of Odisha, Shri Braj Mohan Ram, attending as the chief guest. The opening ceremony will be graced by several prominent dignitaries, including the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Shri Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo; the former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization and Chairperson of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan; the Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of ICAR, Dr. Mangie Lal Jat; and the Vice-Chancellor of Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Professor Prabhat Kumar Roul, among other esteemed guests.
Running alongside this milestone celebration is a dedicated conference themed around strengthening shri anna and landrace seed systems. Focused on community-based seed systems and agricultural biodiversity for resilient food systems, this year’s program reflects Odisha’s strong leadership in climate-resilient agriculture, nutri-cereals, and millet processing.
First announced as Mandia Divas on November 10, 2022, under the special state government initiative ‘Special Programme for Promotion of Millets in Tribal Areas’ known as the Odisha Millets Mission, the statewide observance honors the tribal and rural farmers whose contributions are vital for traditional crop conservation, local food security, community health, and rural income growth.
The 2026 edition marks a significant evolution following previous milestones, which include the launch of the 10-year Bhubaneswar Declaration on Millets during the 2023 International Nutri-Cereals Convention, the 2024 conference on international millets and forgotten foods, and the 2025 event centered on women farmers and agricultural heritage that yielded the Bhubaneswar Declaration on Women Farmers and Conservation of Agricultural Heritage.
During the two-day conference, five technical sessions will be conducted in collaboration with leading national and international institutions. The inaugural day features a session by the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation on agricultural biodiversity conservation and the strengthening of landrace seed systems, followed by a Food and Agriculture Organization session on traditions, health, and a roadmap for climate-resilient farming.
The second day features a session by the ICAR-Indian Institute of Millets Research on Odisha’s millet-based economy, enterprise development, and market linkages, alongside two sessions hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Empowerment focusing on natural farming and traditional knowledge revival, as well as grassroots innovations and inspiring success stories of farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. These sessions bring together scientists, policymakers, landrace seed conservationists, and women self-help group entrepreneurs to formulate actionable strategies for decentralized seed sovereignty, climate resilience, and expanded market frameworks.
Complementing the technical discussions, an expansive exhibition showcases community-based seed conservation, traditional farming methods, and enterprise development. The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation is displaying agricultural biodiversity and community seed banks managed by women seed conservationists, while the Reviving Lost Foods and Neglected Crops project presents traditional food exhibits, tasting sessions, and sales.
Additional exhibitions feature millet-based products by Cuttack-based Siddhi Organics, low glycemic index rice tasting by the International Rice Research Institute, regional millet foods and Koraput coffee by the Tribal Development Cooperative Corporation of Odisha Limited, and interactive showcases by agricultural-technology startups Munico and Junkfree.