Promoting Food Sovereignty through Indigenous Crops: An Analysis of Odisha Millet Mission
Braja Kishore Sahoo
https://analista.in/10.71182/aijmr.2506.0301.1001
Abstract
This paper analyzes Odisha's Millet Mission as a case study of food sovereignty through indigenous crop revitalization.
The state-led initiative, launched in 2017, has successfully increased millet cultivation across participating districts.
Key findings reveal that the program operationalizes food sovereignty principles through community-managed
agriculture, agroecological practices, and cultural food preservation, despite operating within market-oriented
frameworks. However, critical analysis exposes power imbalances, limited tribal agency, and structural barriers that
constrain transformative potential. The study contributes to understanding how subnational governments can advance
food sovereignty while navigating political-economic constraints, offering actionable insights for policy replication
across similar contexts.
Keywords: Food sovereignty, indigenous crops, millets, agricultural policy, sustainable development.