President Droupadi Murmu conferred an honorary doctorate on Raimati Gheuria, a tribal woman from Odisha’s Koraput district, during the 40th Convocation of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar. Raimati, fondly known as ‘Mandia Rani’ (Queen of Millets), was honored for her groundbreaking contributions to agriculture, particularly in conserving traditional grains like millets and rice.
Raimati Gheuria, hailing from Nuaguda village in Koraput district, has dedicated her life to preserving indigenous crop varieties. She has successfully conserved 72 traditional rice varieties and 30 millet types, earning her a prominent place in the global movement for sustainable agriculture. Despite having no formal education and initially working as a daily laborer to sustain her family, Raimati’s instinctive love for nature motivated her to save and promote these fast-depleting traditional grains.
Raimati credits her success to the guidance of eminent agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, who taught her about the value and cultivation techniques of millet. With his mentorship, she not only preserved millet varieties but also championed their benefits within her community and on international platforms.
Her dedication to millet cultivation gained international recognition when she was invited as a special guest to the G20 Summit, held to commemorate the International Year of Millets. She expressed immense pride in the growing global popularity of millet as a nutritious and sustainable food source. Speaking to the media, she said, “We have been eating millets for generations. Initially, I faced challenges to preserve and promote them. Today, millet has reached the global market and is consumed by people across all sections of society.”
Raimati has inspired countless women in her community by promoting millet cultivation and preservation. Her efforts have not only preserved biodiversity but also improved the livelihoods of tribal families in Koraput.
President Murmu lauded Raimati’s unwavering dedication to traditional agriculture and her role in making millets a globally recognized crop. This honor highlights the importance of grassroots efforts in preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Raimati Gheuria’s journey from a daily laborer to a globally recognized agriculturalist is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance. Her recognition as the ‘Millet Queen’ symbolizes the growing global acknowledgment of traditional crops like millets as a sustainable solution for future food security.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred an honorary doctorate on Raimati Gheuria, a tribal woman from Odisha’s Koraput district, during the 40th Convocation of the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar. Raimati, fondly known as ‘Mandia Rani’ (Queen of Millets), was honored for her groundbreaking contributions to agriculture, particularly in conserving traditional grains like millets and rice.
Raimati Gheuria, hailing from Nuaguda village in Koraput district, has dedicated her life to preserving indigenous crop varieties. She has successfully conserved 72 traditional rice varieties and 30 millet types, earning her a prominent place in the global movement for sustainable agriculture. Despite having no formal education and initially working as a daily laborer to sustain her family, Raimati’s instinctive love for nature motivated her to save and promote these fast-depleting traditional grains.
Raimati credits her success to the guidance of eminent agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, who taught her about the value and cultivation techniques of millet. With his mentorship, she not only preserved millet varieties but also championed their benefits within her community and on international platforms.
Her dedication to millet cultivation gained international recognition when she was invited as a special guest to the G20 Summit, held to commemorate the International Year of Millets. She expressed immense pride in the growing global popularity of millet as a nutritious and sustainable food source. Speaking to the media, she said, “We have been eating millets for generations. Initially, I faced challenges to preserve and promote them. Today, millet has reached the global market and is consumed by people across all sections of society.”
Raimati has inspired countless women in her community by promoting millet cultivation and preservation. Her efforts have not only preserved biodiversity but also improved the livelihoods of tribal families in Koraput.
President Murmu lauded Raimati’s unwavering dedication to traditional agriculture and her role in making millets a globally recognized crop. This honor highlights the importance of grassroots efforts in preserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable farming practices.
Raimati Gheuria’s journey from a daily laborer to a globally recognized agriculturalist is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance. Her recognition as the ‘Millet Queen’ symbolizes the growing global acknowledgment of traditional crops like millets as a sustainable solution for future food security.
