The Hemant Soren government, apparently following the cultural footsteps of Santa Claus, who brings gifts on Christmas Eve, has transferred Rs 15.6 crore via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to nearly 35,000 farmers under its Jharkhand Rajya Millet Mission on Friday.

The beneficiaries were bound to be in high spirits ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The fund was given to them to promote the cultivation of millets under the Jharkhand Rajya Millet Mission, a five-year initiative (2023-24 to 2027-28).

The initiative aimed at boosting the cultivation and consumption of millets in the state. The mission is intended to increase demand for millets through a focus on household consumption, which in turn will encourage farmers to produce them. 

The program involves the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) and is focused on improving farmer livelihoods through the promotion of coarse grains like finger millet (ragi/mandua), pearl millet (bajra), and sorghum (jowar).

As it is, the mission is planned to run for five years, starting from 2023-24 and ending in 2027-28.

Apparently, the primary goal is to increase both the production and consumption of millets in Jharkhand. It is being implemented by the state government body Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) which serves as the nodal agency for the effective implementation of the mission.

Notably, the mission focuses on promoting major millet varieties grown in the state, such as finger millet (Ragi/Mandua), pearl millet (Bajra), and sorghum (Jowar).

The Hemant Soren government’s strategy is based on increasing demand by encouraging household consumption. It is expected to drive up production by farmers.

As per the mission guideline, the Rs 3000 incentive amount was distributed to every farmer who is cultivating millet

Jharkhand Agriculture Minister Shilpa Tirkey has said that his government was not only making promises, but implementing it too to boost millet production, increase the income of farmers, ensure food security, and support nutritious diet or balanced diet of people in the state.